ACSI Files Complaints Against US West in Arizona and New Mexico For Slow-Rolling Local Telecom Competition
PR Newswire - March 18, 1998 17:39
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PHOENIX, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- ACSI, an integrated communications
provider (ICP), has filed complaints against US West with the state
corporation commissions in Arizona and New Mexico charging the Bell monopoly
with promulgating "delay and misinformation" in providing network
interconnection to new competitors, thereby limiting the availability of
competitive local telephone services.
According to ACSI, US West's deliberate delays in interconnecting its
network with ACSI's networks have effectively prevented end users in Arizona
and New Mexico from reaping the full benefits of competition in local
telecommunications. ACSI urged the New Mexico State Corporation Commission
and the Arizona Corporation Commission to compel US West to provide
"reasonable, adequate and sufficient interconnection" between the two
companies to promote choice in local telecommunications services.
"US West's compliance with the Telecom Act and the rules of local
competition has de-railed at every level," said Riley Murphy, ACSI's General
Counsel. "To put US West back on track, ACSI has sought the intervention of
the Commissions in both states."
ACSI cited the following problems with US West in both states:
-- Failure to provide adequate interconnection services. US West has
refused or failed to provide interconnection for certain of ACSI's
facilities and equipment with US West's network, as required by the
interconnection agreement between the two companies, and also by
federal law. Further, US West's terms for offering interconnection are
neither just nor reasonable, and may be termed discriminatory and in
violation the parties' agreement.
-- Failure to provide unbundled network elements. US West has refused to
provide unbundled network elements (UNEs). ACSI uses UNEs, such as
local loops, to complement its own network and provide local service to
customers.
-- Failure to provide collocation. US West has refused or failed to
provide collocation of certain of ACSI's equipment for interconnection
or access to unbundled network elements.
-- Failure to provide number portability. US West is not coordinating
portability with the cutover process. In many instances, US West takes
customers out of service before their new service is ready, and without
notifying ACSI of the transfer.
-- Discrimination against ACSI. US West has discriminated against ACSI
in its failure to provide interconnection and unbundled network
elements, thereby impeding competition in New Mexico and Arizona.
American Communications Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACNS) offers the full
suite of integrated business telecommunications services, including dedicated
access, local dial tone, long distance, advanced data, Internet and networking
solutions. The company is actively implementing marketing plans to become the
primary provider of competitive voice and data communications services in all
markets it serves. For more information about ACSI, contact www.acsi.net on
the Internet.
SOURCE American Communications Services, Inc.
/CONTACT: Jim Crawford of Crawford Public Relations, 703-715-0844, for
ACSI/
/Web site: acsi.net
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