Robert Cannon of cybertelecom.org asked I submit this re: the SBC Contract thread.... ---------------- In proceedings going back to 1966 known as the Computer Inquiries, the FCC established a series of safeguard rules that create ISP rights to telecommunications. The Computer Inquiries first divided the world into Enhanced Service Providers (aka computer networks, ISPs, information service providers) and basic telecom. Enhanced service providers are unregulated by the FCC. But acknowledging the dependency of ESPs on the underlying telecom monopoly (remember this is 1970s and 1980s), the FCC created a series of safeguards. The safeguards require all facilities based telecom carriers who offer ISPs services to unbundle the services and offer them to independent ISPs on the same terms and conditions. BOCs have added requirements; they can elect to have an ISP through a separate subsidiary (Computer II) or they can have an integrated ISP if they file a comparably efficient interconnection plan (Computer III). BOCs, regardless of whether they have an ISP, were also required to create Open Network Architecture plans, breaking their networks down to basic building blocks for the benefit of ISPs. Additional safeguards that generally fall on all carriers include prohibitions against discrimination, requirements that line provisioning be completed in the same time frame, cost accounting rules, prohibitions against cross subsidization, requirements for network information disclosure, and restrictions on the use of customer information. I have created a white paper entitled "Where ISPs and Telephone Companies Compete: A Guide to the Computer Inquiries, Enhanced Service Providers and Information Service Providers." It is available at http://www.cybertelecom.org/ci/ciii.htm#guide It explains these rules as they exist today. -B __________________________________________________ -- A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com & no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433 is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433