Western Wireless Corp. said it became the first commercial mobile radio service provider to obtain arbitration decisions from state regulatory bodies implementing the interconnection requirements of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
The company said the decisions lower the rates Western Wireless pays for mobile calls that terminate on local exchange carriers’ networks. In addition, Western Wireless can charge LECs for calls originating on the LEC network and terminating on its network.
Western Wireless filed petitions for arbitration in 13 states asking state regulatory commissions to arbitrate the unresolved issues in the negotiations with U S West Inc. and GTE Corp. The company said the decisions are subject to appeal.
While the specific rates, terms and conditions of interconnection adopted by states vary, the rules and policies of the Federal Communications Commission are generally followed>
