LANSING ? Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, as expected, joined the CLEC Association of Michigan in appealing a Public Service Commission order allowing local service providers to set their own rates in many of the state?s urban centers.
Both argued to the Court of Appeals that the commission misinterpreted the Michigan Telecommunications Act in finding that there was sufficient competition around Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, and Lansing.
“Michigan consumers deserve a competitive telecommunications market that allows them to get the best service for the best price,” Cox said. “I am hopeful that eventually the local telephone market will get to a point where deregulation is justified by fair competition. Unfortunately, we are not at that point, and consumers need to be protected from unfair rate increases.”
Rick Coy, attorney for the competitive local exchange carriers, said in order to deregulate prices, there is supposed to be competition from three or more providers throughout the area designated. “Clearly that is not the case across the broad area for which the commission has now allowed SBC to set its own prices.”
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