IXCs refute GTE, SNET arguments

MCI and AT&T fired back at two telcos last week, asking the Federal Communications Commission to reject GTE and Southern New England Telecommunications' request that the FCC delay its Aug. 8 ruling that opens local telephone markets to competition.

"GTE and SNET's decision to seek a stay of the FCC's new rules on interconnection is yet another attempt by local phone companies to circumvent the Telecommunications Act and protect their monopoly markets," Jonathan Sallet, MCI's chief policy counsel, said in a statement.

MCI's petition claims the GTE/ SNET action (Telephony, Sept. 2, page 6) repeats arguments the FCC already rejected, erroneously insists that telcos are entitled to be reimbursed for the embedded costs of their facilities, incorrectly maintains that the FCC exceeded its authority, and offers no substantial argument against the FCC's interim rates for unbundled components.

AT&T argues in its petition that GTE and SNET have failed to show irreparable harm and that competitive access providers, IXCs and others, including consumers, would suffer if the interconnection order is delayed.

Sprint did not file a petition with the FCC but issued a statement calling SNET and GTE's action an unfortunate one whose success would deprive consumers of the benefits of local competition.