FCC needs to harmonize intercarrier compensation and develop cohe...

FCC needs to harmonize intercarrier compensation and develop coherent national approach to wireless spectrum, FCC Chmn. Powell said in CNBC interview Fri. He compared local telcos with “mother cow” that all other telecom firms connect to for last mile, but said those connecting all had different compensation arrangements with local telcos. When asked whether harmonization would happen on case by case or in overall proceeding, Powell said it was “regrettable” that intercarrier compensation had been on case-by- case basis, which he said was too slow for “Internet time.” FCC should “try to pull up to 30,000 feet and see how to approach it across the board.” Powell said there’s “critical need” for spectrum for things such as 3G, but “no single point of harmonization” for spectrum. FCC must try to recoup as much spectrum as it can, he said, but incumbents also have rights. It will be “big challenge,” Powell said. He said LEC entry into long distance wouldn’t necessarily be easier, but Commission would be “faithful to congressional intent” that access should be easier. That doesn’t mean all entry will be approved, Powell said, but FCC shouldn’t block entry as “defensive measure.” He clarified earlier comments about lack of digital divide, saying it may be natural for different consumers to have different products, as they do different autos. He said early adopters are important to help drive down cost and “shake out the bugs,” and if govt. requires all segments of society to get new products at same time they “may not get built at all.”