http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2004-08-16-phone-fees_x.htm
By Paul Davidson, USA TODAY
Long-distance bills likely would fall and local phone rates rise under
a sweeping industry-backed proposal to federal regulators to overhaul
the fees phone companies pay each other to connect calls.
The plan, unveiled by a group of nine leading local and long-distance
companies after more than a year of talks, would likely mean lower
bills for chatty long-distance callers but higher tabs for those who
make fewer long-distance calls.
The proposal's prospects are uncertain because it must be approved by
the Federal Communications Commission. Three of the four regional Bell
companies, Verizon Communications, BellSouth and Qwest
Communications, did not sign on and that could prompt the FCC to
make changes. Also, states may challenge it in court because it
eliminates in-state fees under their control.
Still, the fourth Bell, SBC Communications, and all three big
long-distance companies, AT&T, MCI and Sprint, were among
those endorsing the plan. Participants expect it at least to form the
basis of FCC action.
[.....] local phone companies are losing access-fee revenue as
long-distance calling shifts to wireless and Internet-based phone
services, which pay low or no connection fees.
Full story at:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2004-08-16-phone-fees_x.htm
How to Distribute VoIP Throughout a Home:
http://michigantelephone.mi.org/distribute.html
If you live in Michigan, subscribe to the MI-Telecom group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MI-Telecom/