Telecom Reporting Rule May Be Eased

Phone giants AT&T, Verizon Communications and Qwest today are expected to win approval to report less information to the Federal Communications Commission on such matters as consumer complaints and infrastructure investments. A decision by the FCC to curtail the information may, however, open the gates for a broader review of data collected by the commission and could be expanded to include cable, satellite and wireless phone providers that are not currently required to submit similar reports. The reports offer rich details into the number of consumer complaints, waiting times for repairs and money put into technological upgrades by the largest phone service providers. As consumers rely more on technology -- spending $150 to $200 a month per household on Internet, phone and television services -- consumer groups say the reports are often the only source for detailed data that show how the providers are responding to service complaints and whether companies are investing enough in upgrading their networks. "These companies are the carriers of last resort because they have the backbone networks, and if you get rid of the standards, then standards almost inevitably get lower," said David Bergmann, head of telecommunications for the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. Consumer groups and smaller competitors yesterday criticized the pending order, saying the data sent to the FCC holds the biggest phone operators accountable for quality and service problems while also giving smaller providers key information about the larger companies' network investments. By granting the petition and uncertainty about a review of data requirements, they said the larger phone companies may benefit over smaller carriers.