The FCC should extend the same relief to all broadband and IP pla...

The FCC should extend the same relief to all broadband and IP platform services, including cable, if it grants an SBC petition for forbearance from applying Title II common carrier regulation to IP platform services, NCTA said an ex parte filed April 14 with the FCC. The Commission might find granting SBC’s request “premature,” given the pending Brand X decision and other FCC rulemakings relevant to the SBC forbearance petition, NCTA said. The Commission should make clear that any decision to forbear from applying Title II’s requirements to SBC’s broadband/IP platform services has no bearing on whether those services come under Title VI requirements -- an issue not raised by SBC’s forbearance petition, NCTA said. The points are similar to those in NCTA’s reply comments on forbearance petitions by BellSouth and Verizon.