[IP] BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
Begin forwarded message:
From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 15, 2004 11:40:41 AM EDT
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <dewayne-net@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
Reply-To: dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[Note: Here's a capsule summary of the FCC's broadband decision
yesterday with pointers to the various comments on the FCC website for
those of you who are interested in the details. DLH]
BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
The FCC relieved incumbents telecos from unbundling requirements for
fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) loops, where fiber is extended within 500 feet
of a customer's premises. The FCC found that FTTC networks can deliver
many of the same benefits as FTTC loops. FTTC networks offer enhanced
capability for providing advanced services, including the ability to
offer voice, multi-channel video, and high-speed data services. The
new rules free companies to choose between fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) or
FTTC networks based on marketplace characteristics, rather than
disparate regulatory treatment. The FCC also clarified that incumbent
telecos are not obligated to build time division multiplexing (TDM)
capability into new packet-based networks or into existing packet-based
networks that never had TDM capability.
[SOURCE: FCC]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-253127A1.doc
STATEMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS --
* Powell (Majority):
Deep fiber networks offer consumers a "triple play" of voice, video and
data services and an alternative to cable. By limiting the unbundling
obligations of incumbents when they roll out deep fiber networks to
residential consumers, we restore the marketplace incentives of
carriers to invest in new networks. There is, however, an important
limiting principle in this item: our rules demand that carriers deploy
fiber deep into neighborhoods - within 500 feet of a customers' home.
Our policy is designed to remove regulatory barriers to these risky
investments; but we will remain watchful of requests that would back
the Commission up from the broadband future. Consumers deserve
information at the speed of light and by taking action today, we move
one step closer to that result.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-253127A2.doc
Abernathy:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-253127A3.doc
Martin:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-253127A5.doc
* Copps (Dissenting):
Though today's Order speaks in glowing terms about broadband relief,
the reality is far less radiant. I don't believe competitive
telecommunications have been faring very well under our watch and this
particular proceeding strikes me as yet another in a series of
prescriptions this Commission is willing to write to end competitive
access to last mile facilities. It seems every month brings a new
onslaught. Here is why I think this approach is dangerous. The loop
represents the prized last mile of communications. Putting it beyond
the reach of competitors can only entrench incumbents who already hold
sway. Monopoly control of the last mile created all kinds of problems
for basic telephone service in the last century, and now we seem bent
on replicating that sad story for advanced services in the digital age.
Unfortunately, the digital age is going to take a lot longer to get
here because of the blows we are inflicting on competition. If we
aren't going to listen to consumers, one would think this Commission
would at least listen to the investors who wrote us again last week
that our broadband policies are undermining competition, undermining
facilities-based carriers who need last-mile access to service small
business customers, and undermining the confidence of investors who
want to put money into this kind of competition-in fact who have
already done so! It doesn't take a compass to see what direction this
is heading. With fewer and fewer loops available to competitors, more
and more control will be wrestled away from consumers and placed with
the entrenched owner of the last mile facility. By shutting off the
last mile to competitors, the Commission is not ushering in a new era
of broadband. It is returning to the failed and non-competitive
policies of the past. Residential consumers, small businesses, edge
providers of VoIP and others who rely on competitive broadband will be
stuck with the consequences, and the consequences will be with us for a
long time and will, I predict, kick us further down that broadband
penetration ladder where your country and mine now ranks Number 11.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-253127A4.doc
Adelstein (Dissenting in part):
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-253127A6.doc
REACTIONS
* Association for Local Telecommunications Services
“The Bell companies -- with the support of the FCC -- are quickly
recapturing their monopoly over local loops. Thanks to the FCC’s action
today, the Bells can now deny competitive carriers access to local loop
facilities that contain any fiber including part fiber/part copper
loops that were deployed decades ago. In a complete reversal of
broadband policies announced just last year, the FCC has now immunized
the Bell companies from competition for residential and small business
customers over existing loops even though the FCC concluded that such
remonopolization of loop plant would disincent further investment in
new fiber deployment. Today’s action undermines facilities-based
competition and threatens the availability of competitive services to
businesses. Even access to core DS1 network elements -- supported by a
unanimous FCC in the last competition proceeding -- is being curtailed
in response to Bell company requests. The FCC needs to stop saying one
thing and doing another. The nation’s small businesses need the
Administration and the FCC to stand firmly in support of loop
unbundling.”
* Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America
"The FCC today took our country one giant step closer toward
solidifying a two-company domination -- the local cable and telephone
providers -- over the consumer Internet market,” said Gene Kimmelman,
Senior Policy Director for Consumers Union. “As both industries tighten
their hold on high-speed Internet (broadband) access, consumers will
see their choices diminish and their bills skyrocket.” “This
stranglehold will stifle innovation as these duopolies discriminate
against unaffiliated applications and services that in the past have
driven the growth of the Internet and the boom in information
technology,” Mark Cooper, Director of Research at the Consumer
Federation of America, said. “As a result, our country will fall even
farther behind Asia and Europe in broadband penetration.”
http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_telecom_and_utilities/
001443.html#more
SEE ALSO --
Reuters:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;
jsessionid=HIK3ZIV30ABA0CRBAEZSFEY?type=technologyNews&storyID=6506341
Archives at: <http://Wireless.Com/Dewayne-Net>
Weblog at: <http://weblog.warpspeed.com>
-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as roessler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To manage your subscription, go to
http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip
Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/