AT&T accused Qwest of ‘unlawfully offering long distance services...
AT&T accused Qwest of “unlawfully offering long distance services” in its region in violation of Telecom Act’s Sec. 271 and conditions of its merger with U S West. In comments to FCC May 2, AT&T said “it is now…
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clear that Qwest has engaged in a deliberate campaign” to offer prohibited long distance services and had failed to divest long distance operations when it acquired U S West. AT&T said sanctions should be imposed on Qwest because “scope and egregiousness of the violations” were unprecedented. AT&T’s comments stemmed from audit report and related complaints by Touch America, company that gained Qwest’s in-state long distance services at time of merger (CD Feb 6 p7). Touch America has charged Qwest with reclaiming long distance customers through service based on indefeasible rights of use (IRUs). Qwest spokesman said AT&T raised “no new or meritorious matters” in its comments to FCC and “it seems more than suspicious” that rival filed comments “right after Qwest filed in opposition last week to their merger with Comcast.” He said audit on which AT&T was commenting was done 2 months ago and Touch America’s complaint was several months old. As to accusations, he said “the FCC was aware at the time of the merger that Qwest sold IRUs and the practice would continue.”