CEOs of CompTel companies made rounds at FCC, Capitol Hill and ad...

services. Referring to event as “The $4 billion tour” because CEOs represented firms worth $4 billion in investments, CompTel Pres. Russell Frisby told reporters Thurs. that group had single message: “Whether it’s Tauzin-Dingell, Breaux-Nickles or the FCC’s [wireline broadband] proceeding, they all are a step backward.” Members of group said they've run into people on Hill who are “surprised” by effect of some of these bills and proceedings. They've also run into staff and members who “don’t want to be involved,” said Frisby. “Some said ‘we've been told Breaux- Nickles is a non-event because it just kicks the issue back to the FCC,'” said Frisby. “We tell them that when you take it to the logical end, we'd have no facilities access” under Breaux-Nickles bill, he said. ITC DeltaCom Pres. Drew Walker said he also was struck by questions from FCC staff and commissioners about whether prices of unbundled network elements (UNEs) are too low. He said such questions reflect Bells’ frequent complaints about TELRIC [total element long- run incremental cost] pricing being below cost. “Our message is practically the same, whether we are talking to the Hill, the FCC or the administration -- the competitive environment is what generates innovation, not a single entity” such as a Bell, Walker said. “We've tried to make these folks aware that you really need high-charged, new entrants to build something,” he said. “Each one of these bills threatens to take away choice for consumers,” said Z-Tel Communications Pres. Robert Curtis. Group said they do support legislation sponsored by Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Hollings (D- S.C.) as “best way to go.” Most Hill visits were to members of Senate, they said. Companies represented on CompTel Washington tour: Access Integrated Networks, El Paso Global Communications, Illuminet, IP Communications, ITC DeltaCom, Talk America, Z-Tel.