On Date: 1 May 2007 14:31:19 -0700, snipped-for-privacy@bbs.cpcn.com wrote,
Monopoly power -- the advantage that comes from a very large market share, not necessarily an absolute 100% monopoly -- carries certain responsibilities. FCC regulations reflect this. White pages are a regulated natural monopoly -- anyone can publish one, but only one gets enough readers to count. You don't know what phone company the person you're calling uses, so you can't be expected to pick that company's directory. This is obvious to anyone who's not a total ILEC apologist.
Once again, Lisa's wrong. FCC regulations, section 51.217(c)(3):
(i) ... A LEC shall accept the listings of those customers served by competing providers for inclusion in its directory assistance/operator services databases.
(ii) Access to directory listings. A LEC that compiles directory listings shall share directory listings with competing providers in the manner specified by the competing provider, including readily accessible tape or electronic formats ...
The whole rule is rather more detailed, of course.
A CLEC generally uses the LSR (local service request, a standard online form) process to submit directory listings, or uses the electronic bonding capabilities of the ILEC database.
Fred Goldstein k1io fgoldstein "at" ionary.com ionary Consulting