BellSouth sues Southeastern CLEC, alleging misleading sales practices

BellSouth today said it filed suit against Access Integrated Networks, a competitive carrier in the southeast U.S., seeking an injunction and restraining order against what BellSouth termed false and misleading sales practices.

BellSouth alleged AIN used the BellSouth logo and misrepresented its relationship with the RBOC in its sales and marketing efforts in order to lure small businesses to the Macon, Ga.-based carrier. BellSouth said AIN tried to pass itself off as an affiliate of the larger carrier and that it was reselling BellSouth’s services.

“We’ve attempted to resolve our differences with AIN directly but, unfortunately, to no satisfactory conclusion,” said David Scobey, president of small business services, in a statement. “The intent of the lawsuit is to stop these deceptive and fraudulent acts, which have resulted in confused and angry customers, lost business opportunities for legitimate providers and ill-gotten benefits to AIN.”

AIN officials were not immediately available for comment. BellSouth’s scuffle with AIN, however, did not begin with today’s suit. The CLEC and the baby Bell have been at odd for the last two years as AIN has sought numerous regulatory censures of BellSouth at several regional regulatory boards. AIN’s most recent attempt succeeded. The Tennessee Regulatory Authority fined BellSouth $169,200 after finding BellSouth did not properly charge for a promotional business services program in Tennessee. Nor did BellSouth offer the program for resale, AIN claimed.