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Headlines BACK ISSUES
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The FCC voted to reclassify DSL service as an information service in early August. The reclassification places DSL in the same category as cable modem services, freeing phone companies from regulations that would require them to share their infrastructure with Internet service providers. Phone companies are happy with the ruling saying that it will allow them to focus their resources on improving and developing their broadband services. However, some FCC commissioners are skeptical and say they will be watching to see if that is really the case. As a result of the recent ruling both phone companies and cable companies are exempt from "common carrier" rules for their broadband services. The FCC is allowing rural carriers to choose whether or not they want to retain their common carrier status, allowing them to recover costs under rate of return regulation, including the cost of building broadband networks. If they decide to continue as common carriers and provide open access to their networks they will continue to receive compensation for access and termination services from the NECA pool. A 1-year transitional period will be enforced where phone companies will be required to provide network access to ISPs; DSL providers will be required to comply with CALEA standards for wiretapping, and phone companies offering DSL will be required to fund the USF. This new ruling will impact Independent ISPs significantly since they rely on other companies' infrastructures to provide their service. How significant the impact will be is yet to be determined. ISPs like Earthlink are already testing other means to provide their services such as electrical power lines and wireless technology like Wi-Fi and WiMax may be viable alternatives in the near future.
Oklahoma Corporation Commission Approves Order to Increase
Competition
FCC Approves Transfer of Licenses from Nextel to Sprint The Commission concluded that the acquisition of Nextel's licenses by Sprint is in the public's best interest, citing enhanced service quality and broader deployment of advanced wireless service as some of the benefits. Along with the above the FCC also stated the following:
For a complete read on the details of the approved applications please visit www.fcc.gov Pre-merger, Sprint is the third largest provider of commercial mobile telephone service based on subscribership, while Nextel is the fifth largest.
MCI
Increases Roll-Out of Wholesale VoIP The Carrier IP Termination is designed for consumers who own media gateway equipment and wish to obtain the cost advantages of originating IP traffic and terminating that traffic over a fully integrated global network. Carrier IP Termination is currently available throughout the U.S. while the SIP Gateway is available to more than 54 percent of American business and residential customers.
Las Vegas Receives Verizon VoiceWing for $19.95/month
Verizon
Entry Level DSL for $14.95/ month Additionally, Verizon recently joined with Yahoo! and launched Verizon Yahoo! for DSL service. Customers will receive over $200 in premium Yahoo! features at no additional cost. Some features included are premium e-mail, and 100 MB of storage.
BellSouth
Launches New Broadband Wireless WiMax Services Customers will be able to choose from two packages. FastAccess Internet Service Lite, a basic service, offers up to 384 kbps downloads and 128 kbps uploads for $29.95; FastAccess Internet Service Ultra offers up to 1.5 mbps downloads and 256 kbps uploads for $39.95. Subscribers must also purchase a modem from BellSouth for $99.99. Initial deployment of the WiMax broadband service is scheduled for Athens, GA -- specifically college students at the University of Georgia. Further deployment is set for Florida, targeting communities that are too far away from the central office to obtain DSL services.
CALEA extends
to VoIP FCC chairman, Kevin Martin said, ‘Although I believe that new technologies and services should operate free of economic regulation, I also believe law enforcement agencies must have the ability to conduct lawful electronic surveillance over these new technologies." While CALEA was never intended for information services, the recent ruling re-interprets CALEA to include broadband and VoIP. Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy said, further congressional input to clarify the FCC's decision is necessary." It is without a doubt that further litigation will come of this decision.
Telecoms File Appeals for Meeting e911 Requirements by End
of Year According to the regulations set in May, "Internet phone operators must be able to steer 911 calls to the geographically appropriate emergency call center. In addition, the calls themselves must be accompanied by the originating address and phone number." Nuvio argues that the deadline set by the FCC is unrealistic and "the process of making new contracts with vendors and providing the necessary technology for compliance will take longer than 120 days." Nextel states that while 70 percent of its customers' phones will be in compliance by the deadline it could take up to two years or more to meet the standards set by the FCC. It is expected that a multitude of waivers will be filed as the deadline draws near, especially by small cellular providers who will have trouble meeting the FCC mandate.
Texas
Approves TV and Phone Service Bill Cable companies and city officials said, the ruling "gives phone companies and unfair advantage, strips consumer protections, and wrests control and revenue from cities." However, Republican Representative, Phil King, says, "This bill allows more companies to provide more service to more consumers." Perhaps some of the bigger issues created by the passing of this bill are:
For more information on this bill or to read the article in its entirety please visit http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/071805dnbustelecom.6c10182.html
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