{"argument_date":"2001-10-10T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2001-10-10T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2001","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","paragraphs":["William Barr argued that firms incur three specific costs when building networks.","William Barr stated that forward-looking perspectives clarify the legal issues.","William Olson argued that courts evaluate results rather than methodologies.","William Olson asserted that the statute does not mention compensating investors."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 2, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 2, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 42, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 23-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 15-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 15-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 76, lines 43-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 78, lines 9-11"}]}],"caption":"Verizon Communications, Inc. v. FCC","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:33.060301Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:33.084003Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Telecom firms and regulators dispute how to calculate fair rates for network services.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 2, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 2, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 42, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 23-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 15-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 15-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 76, lines 43-7"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2001-10-10T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2001","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/00-511.html","primary_docket":"00-511","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T17:37:46.559383Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests how courts should evaluate telecom rate-setting methods."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 2, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 2, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 42, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 23-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 15-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 15-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 76, lines 43-7"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 10, 2001."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 78, lines 9-11"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to reject historical cost calculations.","the opposing sides want the Court to uphold the FCC's rate-setting method."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 2, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 2, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 42, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 23-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 15-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 15-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 76, lines 43-7"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue courts must evaluate rate outcomes, not calculation methods.","the opposing sides argue the statute requires just and reasonable rates based on service costs."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 2, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 2, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 42, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 23-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 15-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 15-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 76, lines 43-7"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the statute addresses investor compensation."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 78, lines 9-11"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute determines how telecom companies calculate future network costs. It shapes the financial rules for building communication infrastructure. It affects the pricing of essential digital services for consumers."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 2, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 2, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 42, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 23-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 15-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 15-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 76, lines 43-7"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 9-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 78, lines 9-11"}]}],"slug":"2001-00-511-verizon-communications-inc-v-fcc","term":"2001","title":"Should telecom rates reflect historical costs or future network needs?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 2, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 2, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 42, lines 31-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 42, lines 31-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 23-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 50, lines 23-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 15-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 66, lines 15-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 43-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-511.pdf","page_label":"file page 76, lines 43-7"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}