The FCC found SBC Communications and its nine incumbent local exchange affiliates in violation of an order issued in conjunction with the SBC/Ameritech merge. The FCC action arose following a complaint by two CLECs, Core Communications and Z-Tel Communications, who said SBC refused to allow their use of a shared transport unbundled network element needed for transporting intraLATA toll calls. Core and Z-Tel may now file a supplemental complaint for damages caused by SBC's violation.
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- In approving the 1999 merger of SBC and Ameritech, the FCC required SBC to offer the shared transport unbundled network element in the former Ameritech states on terms at least as favorable as those offered to telecommunications carriers in Texas as of August 27, 1999.
In October 2002, the FCC imposed a $6 million fine on SBC for violating the requirement.