The Mich. PSC approved a one-year rate deregulation trial for SBC...

deregulation but said the move was a trial that will be reviewed in Dec. to see whether the deregulation should be permanent. He said that there are multiple competitive providers in these markets, so he expects to see businesses able to negotiate better prices and packages for their telecom needs. “We are taking a measured approach in determining whether a competitive telecommunications market exists in the most populated areas of Michigan and will vigorously monitor the situation,” Lark said. “We will carefully watch what happens during the next year with local exchange service before we make that declaration permanent, and will ensure that needed safeguards, such as 911, are in place to protect Michigan telephone customers.” The PSC ordered SBC and affected CLECs to submit confidential quarterly reports on line counts and other competitive data that the PSC normally collects annually. SBC in Oct. had proposed residential and business retail rate deregulation throughout the southern 2/3 of Lower Mich. but the PSC wasn’t prepared to go that far. The PSC also agreed to open a new proceeding (Case U-14324) to consider retail residential and business rate deregulation for the entire Detroit metro area plus Lansing and Grand Rapids. The prehearing conference in this docket will be Jan. 13.