Supreme Court Denies Appeal In SBC Deregulation Ruling

Wednesday, July 4th 2007, 9:54 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Supreme Court denies a Cox Communications bid to overturn a 2005 Corporation Commission decision to deregulate SBC Communications from most price controls. The Cox appeal argued that Oklahoma's largest telephone provider didn't provide sufficient evidence to justify deregulation.

Cox also argued there was no evidence that deregulating SBC, which is now AT&T, will result in lower prices and more choices for Oklahoma consumers.

Cox was joined in the appeal by AARP Oklahoma.

The three-member commission voted 2-to-1 for the deregulation order, with Commissioner Bob Anthony providing the dissenting vote.

The state's high court said the commission's is supported by the law and substantial evidence.