SBC creates regulatory compliance unit

SBC Communications has announced the creation of a regulatory compliance unit that will be charged with ensuring that the carrier has the necessary policies and procedures in place to maintain full compliance with all federal and state regulatory requirements.

Priscilla Hill-Ardoin was named to head up the unit as senior regulatory compliance officer. She previously has served as senior vice president-FCC.

“Priscilla has a deep knowledge of federal and state regulatory policy, an extensive background in operations management, and strong leadership skills,” SBC President Bill Daley said in a statement.

James C. Smith, previously president of SBC Ameritech Ohio, has been named to succeed Hill-Ardoin as senior vice president-FCC.

The time is right for the creation of a regulatory compliance unit, given the current stakes, said Maribel Dolinov, senior telecom analyst for Forrester Research. She said carriers are becoming increasingly concerned about how regulatory issues will affect their ability to provide long-distance and data services to consumers and business across a national footprint.

“You don’t want anybody waving a red flag,” she said. “You don’t want anyone saying that you have a lock-down on this territory and you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing, so therefore we’re not going to let you in on this opportunity, we’re going to let someone else do it instead.”

-- Glenn Bischoff, senior writer