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Courts Overturn FCC - Return of the Monopoly?

Posted by simoniker on from the do-not-pass-go dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The DC Circuit Court of Appeals today threw out FCC restrictions which previously forced large regional phone companies to allow companies such as AT&T and MCI the ability to offer local phone service. The court also upheld FCC rules that no longer require large phone companies to share their advanced broadband networks of the future with competitors. The USTA response: 'This is a decisive victory for consumers, for innovation and for free markets.' The AT&T response: 'At a time when consumers and small business owners are just beginning to realize the benefits of competition, the D.C. Circuit today held up a stop sign and halted eight years of progress.' Enough about the Baby Bells already -- how is this going to effect my VoIP phone from VoicePulse (similar to Vonage)? Did I switch to VoIP so I can pay $15/month for my phone bill, but will have to pay $80/month for FTTH or some other form of broadband?"

6 of 218 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Wow... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    Am I the only one here old enough to remember when AT&T was a "large phone company"?
    Yes, insensitive clod!
  2. Tell me what to think.. by jfroot · · Score: 4, Funny

    The headline wasn't clear on what position I am supposed to be taking on this. Will somebody please let me know so I can rant about it. Thank you.

  3. Re:Enough about the Baby Bells already by nomadic · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ahoy hoy?

  4. F the FCC by stull13 · · Score: 3, Funny

    As unpopular an opinion as this may be, I am happy any time the authority of the FCC is challenged in any way.

    The FCC is an unelected arm of the government that already has far too much control. We may applaud their efforts to limit the power of corporations, but how do we feel when they limit what we are allowed to see/hear/think? We can't have it both ways.

    The next time you think it is a good idea to grant any power to the FCC at all, ask yourself how you would feel if you didn't have Howard Stern during your morning commute.

  5. Re:Whoa whoa whoa...back up a second by PacoTaco · · Score: 1, Funny

    Try here.

  6. Bad electronics? by Annirak · · Score: 3, Funny
    The DC Circuit Court of Appeals
    And here I thought most telecom was AC coupled. I guess that's the problem right there! They used the wrong court. Take this to the AC Circuit Court of appeals and see how the decision goes.