Sprint seeks declaration on competition in Vegas

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2000 | 10:34 a.m.

Las Vegas' dominant local telephone company has asked the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to reclassify its basic business services as a competitive operation.

Reclassification would enable Sprint to offer more products and packages, the company said in a statement announcing the filing of the request.

"Current competitive analysis shows business customers want bundles of products and services from a single telecommunications provider," said Lou Emmert, vice president and general manager of Sprint in Las Vegas.

Critics, including competitor Nextlink, say a reclassification for Sprint could drive rivals out of business if the company undercuts prices, then raises them again when competitors can't keep up. The company, which focuses on telecommunications services for businesses, plans to oppose the Sprint request.

Regulations adopted for Sprint in 1996 enable the company to request a reclassification when two or more competitors hold a market share of more than 15 percent. Sprint says there are more than 30 companies that offer telephone products and services and they have more than 30 percent of the market.

The PUC has six months to rule on the request and Sprint hopes the new rules would take effect in the first quarter of 2001.

"The outcome of this case will impact the competitive market in Southern Nevada and the commission will consider it very carefully," PUC Chairman Don Soderberg said in a statement.