U.S. carriers outlined litany of concerns to FCC International Bu...

it will use to supplement its 2000 edition of International Markets Report. Western Wireless International Pres. Brad Horwitz told forum that company had focused on foreign markets where cost of entry to obtain licenses was low, through processes such as comparative hearings rather than auctions. Having entered markets, process of obtaining interconnection is one of largest challenges, Horwitz said. On regulatory side, company faces challenge of lack of enforcement powers by agencies in countries where incumbent telco may be “the largest hard currency earner,” he said. “You make progress but it’s in small steps -- circuit by circuit.” Joanna McIntosh, AT&T vp-international affairs, told International Bureau that it would be helpful to have U.S. regulators link telecom issues discussed with foreign counterparts to market access issues. “There is no sense talking about joint statements on e-commerce if there is no infrastructure to take you there,” she said. Dan Gonzalez of XO Communications outlined gamut of market entry requirements, with U.K., Germany and Netherlands tending toward more flexible regulations. Countries such as Belgium and France are on more restrictive end of spectrum. Lawrence Spiwak, pres.-Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal & Economic Policy Studies, said “fundamental problem” was that foreign regulators frequently looked to example of U.S. telecom policy for guidance. “The U.S. is not setting a good example,” he said.