The importance of the Internet is not lost on policy makers or Pacific Bell. We carry that call 71 miles at our own expense. Pacific Bell does not charge the Internet surfer or Pac-West to haul that call 71 miles. Pacific Bell is proud of its role in the Internet's development in California. We maintain a world-class network and offer affordable flat rate pricing.
Residential customers pay no long distance access charges when calling the Internet.
This is done under the guise of what purports to be competition, but is really just an unintended arbitrage opportunity derived from regulations that were designed to promote real competition. A loophole, in a word. Pac-West has even attempted to mischaracterize the arbitration case as something that will increase consumer costs for the Internet. Pac-West has not received reciprocal compensation payments for nearly two years. Pac-West has been thriving without reciprocal compensation payments for almost two years.