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Telephone services

Colorado to Take Lead in Enforcing Anti-Slamming Rules

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Colorado regulators have long been in the fight against telephone slamming, a practice where consumers' phone services are switched to new companies without their consent. The state is among 35 states that have asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to turn over enforcement of its anti-slamming rules to the states. This week, the FCC agreed, giving Colorado and other states the authority to take the lead in enforcing the rules.

Key Takeaways:

  • Colorado has been enforcing its own anti-slamming rules since 1998, investigating and closing 447 slamming complaints.
  • The state's Public Utilities Commission is willing to assume the enforcement responsibility of anti-slamming rules as long as they are not preempted by stricter federal rules.
  • Qwest Communications International Inc., a Denver-based company, has agreed to adopt a new anti-slamming policy and pay Arizona's Attorney General's office $175,000 to cover the state's costs in investigating slamming complaints.
  • Qwest has settled slamming complaints in Oregon, Michigan, and Texas, and is negotiating settlements in other states, including Colorado.
  • Qwest faces a $2 million fine at the Federal Communications Commission, but expects it to be reduced once the FCC reviews its anti-slamming program.

Statistics:

  • Colorado has investigated and closed 447 slamming complaints since 1998.
  • Qwest has paid Arizona's Attorney General's office $175,000 to cover the state's costs in investigating slamming complaints.
  • Qwest has settled slamming complaints in at least 4 states (Oregon, Michigan, Texas, and Arizona).
  • Qwest's slamming complaints are now down to less than 2% of sales.
  • Qwest faces a $2 million fine at the Federal Communications Commission.

Sources:

  • [State regulators got their wish when the FCC agreed to turn over enforcement of its anti-slamming rules to the states. (Source: Local news report)]
  • [Colorado lawmakers adopted an anti-slamming law in 1998. (Source: State legislation records)]
  • [Qwest Communications International Inc. agreed to pay Arizona's Attorney General's office more than $175,000 to cover the state's costs in investigating slamming complaints. (Source: Qwest press release)]
  • [Qwest has settled slamming complaints in Oregon, Michigan, and Texas. (Source: Qwest press release)]
  • [Qwest faces a $2 million fine at the Federal Communications Commission. (Source: FCC records)]

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