Consumer Law at Your Fingertips

Telemarketing and Cable TV

Telecommunications Rate Regulation

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) regulate telephone service providers, including companies that own and operate telephone lines. Because these companies hold a “natural monopoly” over some basic telephone services, the FCC and PSC regulate the companies as “common carriers” or “public utilities” to ensure fair access and reasonable charges. Regulators approve basic service offerings and rates, and monitor business practices.

But not all telephone services are regulated to this degree. Where effective competition exists, the market generally determines prices and services. Some monopoly markets have been opened to competition, and recent law changes have relaxed or eliminated traditional rate regulation in a number of areas.