Jan. 24, 2000
US West says the telecommunications industry has changed so much, that it also needs to change the way it's rates are calculated.
To do that takes action by the state legislature, and US West has made the request.
Government specialist Richard Piatt explains.
US West used to hold all the cards when it came to phone lines and all their connections.
But radical changes in laws and in technology have allowed competators to eat away at US West's business.
Competition is intense for business customers, for internet customers, as well as for traditional telephone services.
US West says competators like AT & T and MCI have unfair advantages.
Ted Wilson/US West: "In Utah, they're essentially unregulated, and are in all aspects of these businesses. We continue to be limited to what services we can provide, and we're much more heavily regulated."
US West has specific issues addressed at this year's session.
It wants all competitors to be regulated in the same way.
And US West wants the freedom to change prices quickly to keep up with competition.
It wants rate caps for residential and business customers.
But it's main goal is to eliminate the way rates are calculated under Utah's 1995 Telecommunications Act.
It would speed up the deregulation process, set aside 5 years ago.
Claire Geddes keeps an eye on US West and it's legislative agenda. She is dubious about these proposals.
Claire Geddes/Consumer Advocate: "I think this effort is fueled by corporate greed and a massive lobbying effort to change the only consumer protections we have-- the '95 act."
US West argues that an even playing field and a push to invest in technology are benefits to consumers.
But those are long-term benefits. And some lawmakers are reluctant to tamper with anything that might be politically unpopular in the short-term.
Because lawmakers are taking on so many high profile and emotional issues this year, this may be one proposal the public doesn't hear much about. US West, on the other hand, is vowing to make sure it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.
