Interconnection deals continue apace

The holiday season isn't slowing interconnection decisions and agreements. Last week, TCI Telephony Services of California and Pacific Bell signed a pact that lets TCI interconnect with the Bell company's network statewide. And ICG Telecom Group sealed an agreement with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. to compete in five states.

In addition, the Illinois Commerce Commission settled more than 30 issues that AT&T and Ameritech have been unable to resolve during more than six months of negotiations.

AT&T was not enthusiastic about the commission's Thanksgiving-eve arbitration order, which gives each carrier 15 days to negotiate a final agreement. Each side can appeal parts of the decision.

"Portions of the decision are reasonable compromises and are a step in the right direction of giving Illinois customers a choice for local phone service," said an AT&T spokesman. "However, the decision is not as pro-competitive as we'd expect from the Illinois commission. The commission rejected a number of AT&T's proposals that we think are important ingredients of a major business agreement like this.

Ameritech was more optimistic, applauding the commission "for wading through a lot of tough issues and coming up with a balanced decision that will help further fair, open competition in local phone service.

"AT&T now has the blueprint it has long said it wanted and needed to get into the local phone market," said an Ameritech spokesman. "The burden is now on AT&T to make good on its promises.

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