PacBell Is Playing Fair in Phone Competition

Telecommunications competition is thriving in California, contrary to what Mark Phigler claimed in his June 8 letter (“Now FCC Must Look at Local Phone Competition”). And Pacific Bell is making it happen.

A look through the Los Angeles Times’ own files will show stories of how long-distance and cable television giants like AT&T;, MCI and Cox all plan to invade California and greater Los Angeles.

That’s just the beginning. The Public Utilities Commission has authorized more than 80 companies to provide local service in California; 18 of them have signed agreements with Pacific Bell that meet the federal government’s competitive checklist. And about a dozen have already entered the business, offering services where they believe profits will be the greatest.

The real proof is in the number of customers being served by competitors. In just more than a year, Pacific Bell has efficiently transferred thousands of customer lines to its competitors. That’s not rhetoric. That’s fact. That’s competition.

The truth is that Pacific Bell has a vital interest in promoting local competition in California. Until that happens, we won’t be allowed to offer long-distance service within the state.

The record clearly shows that Pacific Bell works every day to assist others in the local phone business. That’s our idea of competition. It’s dramatically different from the approach taken by others, who would rather work to keep Pacific Bell from entering the still-protected long-distance market.

It seems ironic that self-styled consumer groups who profess to support competition would stand up to deny the public more choices in long-distance service, currently dominated by just three powerful giants.

CARMEN P. NAVA

Regional Vice President

Pacific Bell

Los Angeles