Officials crack down on fast-talking phone ads

Article Abstract:

Long distance telephone service providers are expected to be under federal review for alleged deceptive advertising. The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission are expected to introduce new guidelines that seek to place long distance providers under the same truth-in-advertising standards that are used for car leasing, weight-loss and other industries. The move is aimed at cracking down on firms that advertise low rates but are actually charging higher.

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Plan that cuts phone bills hovers on brink of approval

Article Abstract:

Regulators are expected to approve in May 2000 a comprehensive overhaul of telephone bills that will reduce long-distance fees and promote competition in residential markets. Under the plan, local telephone companies will cut by $0.01 per minute the access fees they charge long- distance carriers to begin and end calls. The overhaul also combines the subscriber line and the carrier line fees on the local portion of the bill and lowers their total from $5.00-$4.35.

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Phone start-ups tangle with giants. Small companies say big fish make it tough to reel in customers

Article Abstract:

Many small long-distance companies have found that large companies that offer the same services and also own the telephone lines are hampering the federal deregulation of long-distance services. Bellsouth is even being investigated for causing a client to switch back to its service.

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