1/8/2008
House Committee Launches
Probe of FCC Management
The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced a formal investigation of the FCC.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee will seek to determine whether agency procedures are "being conducted in a fair, open, efficient and transparent manner," according to a letter sent to Mr. Martin that was signed by committee chairman Rep. John Dingell (D., Mich.), Rep. Bart Stupak (D., Mich.), Rep. Joe Barton (R., Texas) and Rep. John Shimkus (R., Ill.). WSJ ARSTECHNICA
12/4/07
FCC to Verizon - "NO" on Forbearance 06-172
FCC says no in a 5-0 vote to the Verizon Forbearance Requests For Six Metropolitan Areas.
News Release: Acrobat MO&O: Word | Acrobat
Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
COMPTEL Applauds FCC on Verizon's Forbearance Rejection
FCC Asked to Mandate E-mail Forwarding
Report No: 2832 Released: 09/26/2007. CONSUMER & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
BUREAU REFERENCE INFORMATION CENTER PETITION FOR RULEMAKINGS FILED. CGB
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276866A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276866A1.pd
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276866A1.txt
Deadline for comment is October 26, 2007 for this proceeding RM-11391
COMPTEL Urges FCC to Reject Qwest Forbearance Plea
COMPTEL last week (9/20/2007) filed its opposition to Qwest’s petition for forbearance from Title II and the Computer Inquiry rules with respect to their broadband services. The petition is identical to the one Qwest pulled earlier this month as the FCC was hours away from reaching its statutory obligation to act on the request.
Qwest is seeking the same relief Verizon received as a result of the Commission’s failure to deny Verizon’s forbearance plea in March 2006. The Verizon petition was deemed granted by operation of law because the Commission, which had only four members at the time, was deadlocked on its disposition. The Commission issued no decision explaining the action.
"The lack of a decision explaining any reasoning for the grant of forbearance has prompted Qwest to presume that the representations in the Verizon Petition relating to the state of competition for broadband services are not only true, but also entitle them, a priori, to the same relief," COMPTEL said in its Sept. 20 filing. "In the absence of any indication as to the factual basis for the deemed grant, there is no foundation for Qwest’s presumption." COMPTEL continued, "Simply mimicking the statements Verizon made in its Petition is not sufficient to meet Qwest’s burden of proving that it is entitled to forbearance from Title II and Computer Inquiry regulation." (WC Docket 06-125)
COMPTEL Blasts Verizon Forbearance Pleas
COMPTEL last week filed its reply comments to Verizon Communication's forbearance petitions for regulatory relief in six metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs).
Alleging that there is “extensive” competition in Boston, New York, Providence, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Beach, Verizon last fall filed petitions that seek relief from the few remaining regulatory requirements that still apply to non-broadband services – including all unbundling requirements – in the six MSAs.
In reply comments filed April 18 in Docket 06-172, COMPTEL reiterated its opposition to the petitions, arguing that "granting Verizon forbearance from dominant carrier and unbundling regulation will limit, rather than enhance, competition and will be detrimental to consumers. Verizon’s claims with respect to the extent of competition that currently exists in the six MSAs are exaggerated and its failure to address the availability of alternative providers on a wire center by wire center basis is fatal to its Petitions."
Click here (.pdf) to view the complete filing.
WISPA's CALEA FAQ
WISPA is working to publish an industry standard for CALEA compliance to make it easier for WISPs and law enforcement to work together. As part of that effort, WISPA has built this FAQ to explain what CALEA means to WISPs.
See how millions of everyday people who learned that Internet freedom was under attack by giant corporations fought back by contacting Congress.
Former FCC Chief Michael K. Powell had this to say about Telecom regulation; Oct 26, 2006 Excel Dealer Meeting Keynote - Phoenix, AZ. "Telecom regulation - it's really broken... What on earth is a cableco that provides phone service? We don't know. That's a huge source of the noise. It's a battle over definitions. The market shouldn't be dependent on the label four or five regulators stick on a provider's forehead." Source - Phone+Mag Dec. 2006 print edition.
Freepress Action Alert
Blow the Whistle on the FCC Ethics Scandal
The FCC is at it again, ignoring the public interest to give handouts to massive corporations. This time, Chairman Kevin Martin has thrown the FCC's ethics out the window to rush through the mega-merger of AT&T and BellSouth.
Martin is forcing one commissioner, Robert McDowell, to overlook a conflict of interest and rubber stamp the AT&T merger without safeguards for Net Neutrality -- the longstanding principle that prevents Internet providers from discriminating between Web sites.
More on this on the WBIA Blog
Is this just more of the same? Read testimony from a 1999 U.S. House of Representatives Committee hearing - Techlawjournal
Forbearance Watch
11/14/2006 -
Wireline Competition Bureau extends to February 20, 2007, the date by which the petition of Qwest Communications International Inc. for forbearance from enforcement of the Commission's dominant carrier rules as they apply after Section 272 sunset pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 160, shall be deemed granted in the absence of a Commission decision that the petition fails to meet the standards for forbearance under section 10(a) of the Act. WC Docket No. 05-333.
Order: Word | Acrobat
Commissioner Copps speaks his peace...
Washington Post - November, 8 2006
America's record in expanding broadband communication is so poor that it should be viewed as an outrage by every consumer and businessperson in the country. Too few of us have broadband connections, and those who do pay too much for service that is too slow. It's hurting our economy, and things are only going to get worse if we don't do something about it. Full Text
COMPTEL Urges FCC to Reject AT&T, BellSouth Merger
See Industry News Section
More news on the merger.
Groups to FCC: No AT&T-BellSouth Approvals: Phone+
House Judiciary Committee asks for delay. News Release (pdf) and Letter (pdf)
FCC Cover-up of 2004 Media Control Study
In an action alert sent out by Freepress,
the report, written in 2004, came to light during the Senate confirmation hearing for FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, though Martin is denying any knowledge of the study.
In an article written by Associated Press writer John Dunbar,
the Federal Communications Commission ordered its staff to destroy all copies of a draft study that suggested greater concentration of media ownership would hurt local TV news coverage.
Broadband Reports
Telecom's Weak Link: The Battery
This discussion over at Dave Farber's IP Mailing List illuminates the problem with VOIP, namely that extended power outages drain both consumer and remote site batteries, causing headaches. One local stumbles upon a cable tech keeping a phone network alive via an extension cord during a power outage:
"When I went over and talked to the friendly cable guy splicing wires on the back of his truck, he told me that he wasn't even trying to charge the batteries, all he could do was try to keep the system running from his truck until power was restored. Cable modems? Cable VoIP? Our whole world of modern cable telecom, dependent on a guy with an extension cord and an old bucket truck."
Fios users have similar concerns, as the Fios backup battery lasts about 10-12 hours.
FCC adopts new USF rules - NPRM
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Treasury Concedes Telephone Tax Fight!
The Treasury Department and IRS announced this morning that after losing in five circuit courts of appeals, the Government is throwing in the towel and will no longer seek to enforce the 3% excise tax on long-distance telephone calls enacted during the Spanish-American War of 1898 as a "luxury" tax on wealthy Americans who owned telephones. The IRS will will issue $15 billion in refunds to consumers for long-distance telephone service taxes paid over the past three years. Other links of interest.
"That's Entertainment": a conversation with Cynthia de Lorenzi, Washington Bureau for ISP Advocacy, at F2C 2006.
"Entertainment." That's how Cynthia de Lorenzi, former CEO of Patriot.net (a recently acquired ISP) framed the fight between Cable and the Teleco's. She explained that while the folks at the F2C conference understand what's at stake, it's not making much sense to most people. We caught up with her during a break in the action to ask her to expand on this notion, that its all really a struggle over entertainment, and if we could frame things in these terms, we might be better able to reach the average joe.
F2C Podcast - Listen to Daniell Krawczyk's interview with WBIA co-founder Cynthia De Lorenzi.
COMPTEL Actions on Mergers
Court Notes Failure of DoJ, Bells to Justify Merger Pacts
Competitors, consumers commend Court for continuing inquiry
WASHINGTON, DC - July 25, 2006 - Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today held a status conference to continue his review of the SBC/AT&T and Verizon/MCI mergers and whether entry of the consent decrees, settling the merger complaints, will serve the public interest. Noting the lack of materials and facts before him to support the allegations in the Department of Justice's complaints and the remedy proposed in the consent decrees, Judge Sullivan said he was not in a position to approve or reject the consent decrees at this time.
Although he said it was premature to conduct an evidentiary hearing at this juncture, Judge Sullivan requested that the DoJ and the Bell Companies (the Parties) submit the material necessary to demonstrate to the Court that the consent decrees actually restore the competition the DoJ alleges will be lost as a result of the mergers. The Parties have until Aug. 7 to submit such information. Judge Sullivan provided COMPTEL and other Amici, including ACTel, Sprint Corp., the New York Attorney General's Office, and the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, an Aug. 17 deadline to respond to the Parties. The Parties will then have until Aug. 28 to file their responses, at which point Judge Sullivan will determine how he wants to proceed going forward.
"COMPTEL is pleased that Judge Sullivan continues to conduct a thoughtful and thorough review of the merger consent decrees reached between the DoJ and the Bell companies and we look forward to providing the Court with further information demonstrating the gross failure of the limited divestitures required by the consent decrees to restore the competition lost as a result of the mergers and to protect consumers from the monopolistic interests of the Bell companies," said Jonathan Lee, General Counsel for COMPTEL.
Consumer groups opposing the mergers also lauded the Court's action.
"The Department of Justice has never made the case that its flimsy settlement protects the public from the devastating impacts of these mega-mergers," said Jeannine Kenney, Senior Policy Analyst for Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports®. "Today, the court agreed, and sent the encouraging message that it will carefully scrutinize, not merely rubberstamp, these merger agreements. The court's decision to allow state consumer advocates to respond to the Department's filings means that at least now someone finally will consider consumers' concerns."
$200 Billion Broadband Scandal
Is it possible that the American public is getting ripped-off (again) by the Bells? Please, say it isn’t so……
New investigative ebook offers micro-history of Verizon, SBC, Qwest, and BellSouth's (the Bell companies) fiber optic broadband promises and the consequence harms to America's economic growth because they never delivered and kept most of the money, about $200 billion.
For details about the book, chapters, highlights, etc.
$200 Billion Broadband Scandal
8/5/05
FCC Eliminates Mandated Sharing - Another Step Backwards
Buckle up; it’s going to be a rough and bumpy ride! Today, in a last minute agenda switch hit on the FCC’s Open Meeting docket, the FCC moved to deregulate DSL and override Computer Inquiries. Wireline Broadband is now an "information service" and ISP's will have 1-year to vacate the DSL premises! This ruling is the equivalent of a shot in the head to ISP’s, competition and consumers. The ILEC’s will still have to contribute to the Universal Service Fund for only 270 more days at the same level as now, but watch out, Congress is not going to like seeing this gift horse leave their coffers.
Right now, the Bells are busy doing the happy dance at taking this step closer to their monopolistic regime. NOW, more than ever, ISP’s, CLEC’s, Innovators, consumers or anyone else concerned about the future of innovation, competition and the freedom to communicate via the Internet need to speak out.
WBIA is mobilizing a grassroots movement in opposition to this egregious ruling. Take action now and learn what you can do to become involved.
Read the actual FCC News Release - FCC Eliminates Mandated Sharing Requirement on Incumbents' Wireline Broadband Internet Access
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broadband Choice Bill
Bad for Consumers, Bad for the Economy, Bad for America
New Senate legislation will undermine broadband innovation and consumer choice! Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) introduced the Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act of 2005, co-sponsored by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Click here to read more about what it means for consumers, for American workers and further harm U.S. global competitiveness.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Washington Bureau for ISP Advocacy (WBIA) serves as a grassroots educational organization and an advocate on behalf of ISP's, CLEC's., technology innovators, suppliers, aggregators and consumers who recognize the need for choice and call for retaining the first tier of independent ISP connectivity to the Internet!
The WBIA, in partnership with the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), CompTel/ASCENT, American Alliance of Service Providers (AASP), American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance, Brand X Networks, TeleTruth, the New Mexico Internet Professionals Association, the National Internet Alliance (NIA), the Telework Coalition, the Capitol Telecommunications Professionals (CTP), Rural Broadband Coalition (RBC), the Power Line Communications Association (PLCA), the California Internet Service Providers Association (CISPA), Tri-State Broadband , the North Texas Technology Council (NTTC), the Federation
of Internet Solution Providers of the Americas (FISPA) and New Networks Institute, Independent ISP's for America will launched the first virtual Gigabyte March on Washington, D.C.
There is no cost or obligation to join WBIA or participate in the Gigabyte March, however, we do request that information on participating in the March is shared with members and supporters of the participating organizations. Together, we will work to educate and advise consumers, the FCC, as well as federal and state legislators and regulators of the looming negative and serious economic consequences if we fail to preserve competition and protect the interests of small, telecom-intensive business and their customers.
An accurate picture of the intrinsic value to our nation's economy made by the presence of the independent service providers has been entirely overlooked and must be included in any debate involving telecom legislative policy making. Telecom policies do not operate in a vacuum and impact not only the independent ISP, but consumers, technology innovators, suppliers and legislators.
Supporting America's Small Businesses: The White House on Small Business - June 17, 2004
"Small businesses create two-thirds of new private sector jobs in America, employ more than half of all workers, and account for more than half of the output of our economy."
The failure to address the needs of these key participants will derail our nation's economic recovery and affect our ranking among the world's global economic powers. We encourage dialogue and urge immediate action in addressing these concerns.
###
"Notable Quotes"
"For the past several years, the FCC has failed to adopt regulations that properly implement the network access provisions of the 1996 Act,". "Congress created a regulatory framework so that businesses and consumers would have lower prices and more choices for broadband services. This report illustrates that the FCC has the authority to fix the problem of broadband penetration if it wants to. This report also demonstrates that U.S. regulators - in their zeal to appear "deregulatory" - have closed networks to competition and denied consumers the benefits of the 1996 Act. As a result, the U.S. continues to fall further behind the broadband penetration levels of countries that maintain consistently enforced regulatory regimes that guarantee network access at nondiscriminatory rates." Earl Comstock, CEO of CompTel/ALTS 6/02/2005
"The FCC is not re-regulating ISP's out of business; it's deregulating the telcos in order to put the ISP's out of business." -Fred Goldstein -
|
