NYNEX Seeks New York PSC's Aid in Reaching Interconnection Agreement with AT&T

Business Wire, Feb 14, 1997

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 1997--NYNEX today appealed to the New York Public Service Commission for further assistance in its year-long effort to reach an interconnection agreement with AT&T. The company said in the letter it was "deeply concerned" that -- given the current state of negotiations -- an agreement was unlikely anytime soon unless the PSC stepped in and helped resolve issues the companies have been unable to resolve themselves

Talks aimed at reaching an interconnection agreement with AT&T began in March of last year and continued after the parties filed for arbitration in August. Even though the PSC issued an order in late November resolving outstanding issues, the companies have not been able to agree on contract language for all of those issues, and AT&T has raised others that were not part of the arbitration proceeding.

"If AT&T truly wished to enter the local market in New York, it would join the company in accepting the pending proposal and get on with providing consumers another choice for local service," said Jack Goldberg, NYNEX vice president - Wholesale Markets. "Instead, AT&T is trying to use the lack of an interconnection agreement as a means of trying to keep NYNEX out of the long distance market in New York."

In the letter, the company proposes specific action steps that could break the deadlock between the parties and result in a final agreement within 60 days. The company said it has sent a separate letter to AT&T inviting the long distance carrier to join in its request for PSC intervention.

The Telecommunications Act requires NYNEX and the other regional Bell companies to satisfy a 14-point checklist before they are allowed to provide long distance service in their local markets. Allowing new entrants to compete in their home regions through interconnection agreements is an important element of the checklist. NYNEX and the PSC have led the industry in creating an environment in New York State that is fully open to competition. For example, NYNEX was the first regional Bell company to negotiate interconnection agreements, provide competitors unbundled access to its network and allow rivals to "collocate" their phone wires in its telephone buildings.

NYNEX is a global communications and media corporation that provides a full range of services in the northeastern United States and high-growth markets around the world, including the United Kingdom, Thailand, Gibraltar, Greece, Indonesia, the Philippines, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The corporation is a leader in telecommunications, wirefree communications, directory publishing and video entertainment and information services. NYNEX is also managing sponsor of FLAG -- Fiberoptic Link Around the Globe -- the world's longest undersea fiber optic communications cable.

NYNEX news releases are now available on the Internet at http://www.nynex.com. You can also receive fax copies of recent NYNEX news releases, free of charge, 24 hours a day. Call 1-800-331-1214. An automated system will provide you with instructions.

CONTACT: NYNEX

Bob Varettoni, 212/395-0500