September 15, 2006
On September 14, a federal district court in Missouri granted summary judgment in favor of Sprint-Nextel in a challenge brought by AT&T (formerly Southwestern Bell Telephone/SBC). The ruling upheld Sprint-Nextel's right to obtain access to critical entrance (transmission) facilities of AT&T's network at cost-based rates. Sprint-Nextel uses the facilities to provide competitive local exchange telephone services in the state. The decision, Southwestern Bell Tel., L.P. v. Missouri Pub. Serv. Comm’n, No. 05-1264, slip op. (E.D. Mo. Sept. 14, 2006), establishes an important precedent for competitive local exchange carriers. Willkie litigation partner David Murray was lead counsel for Sprint-Nextel, with the assistance of associate Ben Shapiro.
