Barnes and Noble Bookstores is about to announce that it will be the exclusive book seller on America On Line. Borders is also planning a fancy book order web site. Industry folks praised the Telecommunications Act because it was going to unleash storms of competition. So far there has been no massive invasion by long distance carriers into local service and vice versa.
Consumers can tell there is no competition because service is deteriorating and rates are going up.
The Baby Bells have petitioned the FCC that if British Telecom's take over of MCI is approved and British Telecom is allowed to compete in the long distance market so should they. The Bells must show that their own local markets are competitive. Bell Atlantic fears that offering affordable flat-rate pricing could cause the same kind of delays seen at America Online. The paper includes seven principles in spectrum management. The recommendations of the Joint Board on Universal Service had suggested that the Commission first implement provisions for schools and libraries before other major provisions which may take longer to act on.