IDS Telecom (www.idsld.net) has petitioned the Georgia Public Service Commission (www.psc.state.ga.us) asking that state regulators investigate alleged anticompetitive activities by BellSouth Corp. (www.bellsouth.com).
The Miami-based CLEC complains that it is suffering financially from such alleged practices.
"BellSouth's abuse of its monopoly powers has resulted in enormous financial damage to IDS, as well as severe damage to its reputation," IDS says in its filing.
The CLEC says that a structural conflict of interest exists because BellSouth is both a supplier and competitor of IDS. The CLEC sector collectively has increased its nationwide push for the structural separation of the BOCs, a move that would force the Bells to separate their retail and wholesale operations into two distinct companies.
On the whole, IDS also says that BellSouth is trying to drive local competitors out of Georgia and also claims that BellSouth's refusal to loosen its grip on the local market threatens all CLECs trying to compete in the state.
“Without strong and timely action by the PSC, neither IDS nor any other CLEC can survive the onslaught of BellSouth's anticompetitive tactics much longer,” according to Keith Kramer, IDS senior vice president.
IDS likewise has filed a similar complaint against BellSouth in Florida.
For its part, BellSouth hopes to be able to provide long-distance service within its nine-state region within the next year or so, beginning with an approval in Georgia.
