High Court Questions Case Against Verizon

A closely watched consumer antitrust case filed against Verizon Communications ran into tough questioning before the Supreme Court.

Justices voiced reservations about a lower court ruling that held consumers can sue regional telephone companies such as Verizon under antitrust laws for triple damages for poor or delayed access to their local networks. Justice Stephen G. Breyer questioned the wisdom of opening up such disputes to “500 judges or juries around the country, each potentially reaching different conclusions.”

Breyer and some of the other justices seemed to agree with the Justice Department, which argued that challenges on access should be settled by regulators.

Verizon, the biggest U.S. regional telephone carrier, is asking the justices to overturn the appeals court ruling.