The Telecommunications Act of 1996 did just that, forcing data interoperability between the carriers. Thus, another key provision of the 1996 Act sets obligati

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 did just that, forcing data interoperability between the carriers. Thus, another key provision of the 1996 Act sets obligations for incumbent carriers and new entrants to interconnect their networks with one another, imposing additional requirements on the incumbents because they might desire to restrict competitive entry by denying such interconnection or by setting terms, conditions, and rates that could undermine the ability of the new entrants to compete. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996