Currently, Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico legislatures are considering bills that would immediately deregulate US West's new data services, such as its ultrafast Megabit Internet service. US West says such deregulation provides an adequate incentive for the company to invest in long-ignored rural systems. Critics say the legislation US West is seeking may actually shortchange phone customers. Meanwhile, public-utility commissioners in Oregon and Washington are fighting US West over its rate structure and say there is no guarantee the bills would benefit rural areas. In Washington, the proposal has run into trouble in a deadlocked legislature.
Lawmakers insist they want to give rural customers a boost.
Competitors of US West, a steady political campaign contributor, and consumer advocates have joined forces to remind lawmakers they will end oversight on a company notorious for high rates and poor service. US West counters that the measures contain protections for consumers. The New Mexico bill, for example, would allow regulators to oversee the quality of service for residential and business customers and keep limited powers over rates. Meanwhile, Yakima's economic-development advocates nervously await the outcome of the political squabbles. In the age of the Web, even fruit dealers can't get by without high-speed, affordable Internet access.