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View the related Section 271 Comment / Evaluation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2001 WWW.USDOJ.GOV/ATR |
AT (202) 514-2007 TDD: (202) 514-1888 |
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ADVISES FCC ON VERIZON'S PENDING
APPLICATION TO PROVIDE LONG DISTANCE SERVICES IN CONNECTICUT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Justice today advised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that it does not oppose the pending application of Verizon, formerly known as Bell Atlantic, to provide long distance services in Connecticut. The Department based its decision on several factors unique to this application:
The Department provided its competitive analysis today in an evaluation of Verizon's application under Section 271 of the Telecommunications Act for authorization to provide long distance services in Connecticut. Since the break-up of the integrated Bell system as part of the AT&T divestiture, the independent Bell Operating Companies, or BOCs, have been barred from providing long distance services in their respective regions, first as part of the divestiture decree, and now under the terms of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Under Section 271 of the Act, a BOC, such as Verizon, may not provide in-region long distance services until it demonstrates to the FCC that it has met a variety of legal requirements designed to open the local telephone markets in a particular state to competition. In considering whether to approve a BOC's application for long distance authority in a particular state, the FCC must consult with the Department of Justice and give "substantial weight" to its assessment of competitive conditions in a market and whether the BOC should be allowed to provide in-region long distance service. Verizon filed its application with the FCC on April 23, 2001. Under the terms of the Act, the FCC must approve or deny the application within 90 days. A copy of the Department's evaluation will be available at: http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/comments/sec271/sec271.htm 01-235 |