Illinois and Iowa Propose Greater Opening of LEC Market

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has proposed rules to implement dialing parity for providers of toll telephone services in the state. Under the rules, local exchange carriers (LECs) must offer customers two carrier presubscription choices, one for interMSA (market service area) calls and another for nonlocal intraMSA calls. The ICC rejected a proposal to delay the move to presubscription until LECs are permitted to compete with interexchange long distance carriers (IXCs). It found that protecting the LECs from further competition was unnecessary and would indefinitely deny consumers the benefits associated with presubscription and its accompanying competition. Re Intramarket Service Area Presubscription, No. 94-0048, Apr. 7, 1995 (Ill.C.C.).