NARUC Telecom Committee will consider policy resolutions addressi...

NARUC Telecom Committee will consider policy resolutions addressing universal service portability and broadband open access requirements along with other resolutions at NARUC annual meeting next week in Chicago. Draft universal service resolution urges FCC to open rulemaking on high-cost support portability to clarify ambiguous terms in existing rules. It notes CLEC can receive universal service high-cost support if it “captures” subscriber line from incumbent or serves “new subscriber” in incumbent’s service area, but current rules don’t define what “capture” or “new subscriber” mean, so operation of rule is unclear. Draft also asks that FCC reexamine decisions to (1) expand high-cost support to cover additional lines into residential and small business premises and (2) base high-cost support to CLECs on incumbent’s costs rather than CLECs’ own costs. Draft broadband resolution proposes that all Internet users should have choice of ISP regardless of whether they use telephone or cable-based high- speed Internet access services. Resolution also says that ISPs are entitled to equal service quality from all facilities providers. Draft says efforts by providers of broadband services or facilities to steer Internet users toward favored content through restrictive access arrangements would impair free and open information exchange in marketplace of ideas. Resolution says broadband Internet access should be unrestricted as to choice of lawful content and that ISPs and end-users are entitled to meaningful information on technical limitations of their broadband service. Resolution said ISPs affiliated with facility provider can promote their preferred or favored content so long as customers have “effective” choice of ISP.