The FCC is taking what it’s calling an “initial” set of actions to help speed the transition from aging copper lines to modern network infrastructure. “These actions will help ensure that providers roll out upgraded, high-speed networks to more Americans on a faster timeline—rather than requiring providers to keep pouring resources into maintaining decades-old and increasingly expensive copper line networks,” states the agency.
The Commission is keeping consumer protections in place. It’s requiring interoperability and guarding against price increases by ensuring that consumers transitioning to new networks get access to services at similar or lower price points.
“Outdated FCC rules have left Americans sitting in the slow lane for far too long,” said FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. “Those FCC rules have forced providers to pour resources into maintaining aging and expensive copper line networks instead of investing in the modern, high-speed infrastructure that Americans want and deserve. We are doing something about that today by clearing some of the regulatory underbrush that needlessly delays the retirement of those copper networks.”
Carr explained, “There is much more work ahead for the FCC, and our goal through additional actions is to ultimately free up billions of dollars for new networks that otherwise would have been diverted into costly and outdated copper lines. This initial set of actions gets things moving in the right direction and creates the right incentives for providers to invest and build new networks in communities across the country. As we take these actions, we are also ensuring that consumers remain protected during the transition.”
The Wireline Competition Bureau took the following actions:
- Adopted a clarification that will enable providers to use streamlined procedures more often when they apply to discontinue copper lines.
- Adopted a waiver that allows providers to retire copper networks, not only in cases where replacement voice services are available on a stand-alone basis, but in cases where those services are available on a bundled basis. The FCC’s pro-consumer pricing protections will remain in place.
- Adopted an order that waives unnecessary requirements that kicked in whenever a provider “grandfathered” a legacy service—meaning, they stopped offering it to new customers.
- Adopted an order that waives costly and excessive notice requirements in cases where they provide “no demonstrable benefit.” Over the past two years, the FCC has processed more than 400 network change disclosure filings. It says no one has opposed any of these.
The orders are now in effect.
Commenting on the actions, USTelecom President/CEO Jonathan Spalter said, “Broadband providers appreciate Chairman Carr’s laser focus on cutting through red tape and outdated mindsets to accelerate the work of connecting all Americans.” The decision, Spalter explained, “marks a significant step forward in transitioning outdated copper telephone lines to next-generation networks that better meet the needs of American consumers. These are common-sense changes that will help turbocharge investment in advanced broadband infrastructure, sustain and grow a skilled broadband workforce, bring countless new choices and services to more families and communities, and fuel our innovation economy.”
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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