Verizon, Rivals Oppose New ‘Slamming’ Rules

Verizon Communications Inc. and other large U.S. telephone companies told federal regulators they oppose most new rules being developed to limit “slamming,” or unauthorized switches of a customer’s phone carrier.

The Federal Communications Commission’s proposed guidelines requiring more stringent verification of requests to change phone service providers would confuse consumers and add costs, Verizon, SBC Communications Inc., AT&T; Corp. and rivals said in comments filed with the FCC.