Georgia PSC Finds BellSouth is Denying Consumers Choice
ASHBURN, Va., October 21, 2003 - The Georgia Public Service Commission today, ruling in a complaint brought by MCI, found BellSouth's practice of withholding high-speed Internet DSL service to customers that choose a competitor for voice service is anti-competitive under the Georgia Telecommunications Act of 1995. The commission also found BellSouth's practice is a violation of BellSouth's interconnection agreement with MCI. MCI and another competing carrier had argued that BellSouth's practice should be stopped because it prevented consumers from obtaining the voice provider of their choice.
This statement should be attributed to Brian Sulmonetti, MCI Regional Director for Public Policy:
"This decision by the Georgia Public Service Commission is good news for Georgia consumers and customer choice.
"With this ruling, BellSouth no longer will be allowed to deny Georgia consumers a choice of competing local phone providers by withholding high-speed Internet DSL service to customers that choose a competitor like MCI for voice service. BellSouth's practice of tying together its voice and DSL services was an attempt to shore up its monopoly in the Georgia voice market in violation of Georgia law and agreements BellSouth made with MCI."
About WorldCom, Inc.
WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ), which currently conducts business under the MCI brand name, is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With the industry's most expansive global IP backbone, based on company-owned POPs, and wholly-owned data networks, WorldCom develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. For more information, go to http://www.mci.com.
