Ohio PUC Rules in Favor of ICG/Netcom in Dispute with Ameritech
[All, Is this a double-edged sword for emerging ITSPs? Do rulings such as these tend to push ISPs, and more to the point, ITSPs, further away from the exempt status they now enjoy? What do you think? Frank C.]
August 28, 1998
ENGLEWOOD, CO.--(BUSINESS WIRE) via NewsEdge
Corporation --
Ameritech ordered to pay ICG Telecom Group for reciprocal compensation for termination of local calls to ISPs
In a victory for competitive local exchange carriers and Internet users, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) ruled that Ameritech, the regional Bell operating company (RBOC) in Ohio, must pay ICG Telecom Group for the termination of local calls to Internet Service Providers, upholding the interconnection agreement between the two companies.
In ruling that Ameritech wrongly refused to pay ICG, the PUCO becomes the 21st state commission to order the RBOCs to honor interconnection contracts signed with competitive local exchange carriers like ICG.
"This is another resounding victory for competition," said Cindy Schonhaut, senior vice president for government and external affairs for ICG. "This ruling is about making a monopoly company like Ameritech live up to a bargain it made. Ameritech pushed to have reciprocal compensation as a part of our interconnection contract, believing it would collect money from ICG. Once Ameritech was required to pay ICG, it tried to renege on the deal."
ICG Netcom is a new breed of telecommunications company, known as an integrated communications provider (ICP), offering customers one-stop voice and data solutions, including local, long distance, high-speed Internet and data products and services, as well as innovative technologies such as Internet Protocol (IP) telephony and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).
About ICG Netcom
ICG Netcom is the brand name for products and services
from ICG Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICGX) and
ICG's subsidiary, NETCOM On-Line Communication
Services, Inc. The combined entity is a leading integrated
communications provider (ICP) offering high-quality
telecommunications services. Headquartered in
Englewood, Colo., ICG has extensive switched fiber-optic
networks and offers local, long distance and enhanced
telephony and data services in California, Colorado, the
Ohio Valley and parts of the southeastern United States.
The company provides Internet communication
solutions, connectivity and web site hosting to
individuals and to small- and medium-sized businesses
through its subsidiary, NETCOM On-Line
Communication Services, Inc., which is located on the
Web at netcom.com. ICG also is a leading
designer and installer of copper, fiber and wireless
infrastructure for buildings and campuses. Further
information is available on ICG's web site located at
icgcomm.com
CONTACT: Media Contact: Lance Thomas | Senior
Public Relations Specialist | 303/414-5411 |
lance_thomas@icgcomm.com
[Copyright 1998, Business Wire] |
