Rural phone companies can keep charging old rates for business internet

The US communications regulator temporarily stopped enforcing rules that require rural phone companies to update their business internet prices. This means these companies can continue to charge rates set under older, less competitive market conditions.

For years, rural phone companies have faced less competition than urban providers. This waiver lets them avoid proving their rates are fair in competitive markets, which they were supposed to do. It effectively extends a period where they can charge more for essential business internet services.