The FCC would be “crazy” to subject cable operators to special access regulation under rules being examined by the agency, said NCTA Executive Vice President James Assey Monday at a Practising Law Institute seminar. The American Cable Association Friday questioned (see 1604080055) FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal to replace special access regulation with a new "technology-neutral framework."

The FCC would be “crazy” to subject cable operators to special access regulation under rules being examined by the agency, said NCTA Executive Vice President James Assey Monday at a Practising Law Institute seminar. The American Cable Association Friday questioned (see 1604080055) FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal to replace special access regulation with a new "technology-neutral framework."

OXON HILL, Maryland -- FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler called for making a “fresh start” in the business data service market (his new name for special access), starting on April 28 with a Further NPRM and tariff order and moving quickly to a conclusion (see 1604080055) later this year. “Now is the time for action. I assure you that I will treat this issue with the urgency it deserves,” he said at the Incompas Show Monday, drawing applause with the first of several applause lines (prepared remarks here). He said he is counting on Incompas members and others to have the same sense of urgency. Wheeler also defended the FCC's proposal for set-top box competition -- while expressing an openness to modifications -- and its net neutrality rules and oversight.

ILEC competitors and Verizon praised, and a cable group questioned, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal to replace special access regulation with a new "technology-neutral framework" (see 1604080011). The Broadband Coalition, BT, the Competitive Carriers Association, the Computer & Communications Industry Association, Incompas, Sprint and Verizon issued statements applauding Wheeler's proposal. Other major incumbent telcos and commissioners didn't comment Friday. Wheeler circulated a draft Further NPRM and tariff investigation order Thursday for consideration at the April 28 commission meeting, as expected (see 1604060052). He said he intended to adopt a final order in 2016.

ILEC competitors and Verizon praised, and a cable group questioned, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal to replace special access regulation with a new "technology-neutral framework" (see 1604080011). The Broadband Coalition, BT, the Competitive Carriers Association, the Computer & Communications Industry Association, Incompas, Sprint and Verizon issued statements applauding Wheeler's proposal. Other major incumbent telcos and commissioners didn't comment Friday. Wheeler circulated a draft Further NPRM and tariff investigation order Thursday for consideration at the April 28 commission meeting, as expected (see 1604060052). He said he intended to adopt a final order in 2016.

With FCC action apparently looming, Incompas and Verizon jointly proposed principles for a new regulatory framework for all dedicated business services, including ethernet. "We agree that we need a new technology-neutral model -- one that is legally sustainable, that recognizes the changes in the marketplace over the last ten years, that is flexible enough to accommodate new technology and new competitive circumstances going forward, and that will encourage the transition from legacy services to IP and more advanced communication services," said Verizon Senior Vice President Kathleen Grillo and Incompas CEO Chip Pickering in a statement Thursday that accompanied a letter to the FCC filed in docket 05-25. "While we don’t agree on everything, and there is more work to be done, these principles are an important first step towards bringing an end to this proceeding and reflect a balanced approach that incorporates the concerns of both sides of this debate."

Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed the FCC replace its special access regime with a new "technology-neutral framework," in a draft Further NPRM and tariff order he circulated Thursday for consideration at the agency's April 28 meeting. That was as first reported by Communications Daily, and a longer article in the regular issue being emailed to subscribers tonight will report on the coming order and FNPRM in more detail. Wheeler disclosed the items in a Friday blog post headlined "Out with the Old, In with the New."

With FCC action apparently looming, Incompas and Verizon jointly proposed principles for a new regulatory framework for all dedicated business services, including ethernet. "We agree that we need a new technology-neutral model -- one that is legally sustainable, that recognizes the changes in the marketplace over the last ten years, that is flexible enough to accommodate new technology and new competitive circumstances going forward, and that will encourage the transition from legacy services to IP and more advanced communication services," said Verizon Senior Vice President Kathleen Grillo and Incompas CEO Chip Pickering in a statement Thursday that accompanied a letter to the FCC filed in docket 05-25. "While we don’t agree on everything, and there is more work to be done, these principles are an important first step towards bringing an end to this proceeding and reflect a balanced approach that incorporates the concerns of both sides of this debate."

Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed the FCC replace its special access regime with a new "technology-neutral framework," in a draft Further NPRM and tariff order he circulated Thursday for consideration at the agency's April 28 meeting. That was as first reported by Communications Daily, and a longer article in the regular issue being emailed to subscribers tonight will report on the coming order and FNPRM in more detail. Wheeler disclosed the items in a Friday blog post headlined "Out with the Old, In with the New."

A draft special access tariff order and Further NPRM are expected to circulate Thursday at the FCC for consideration at the agency's April 28 monthly meeting, informed sources told us Wednesday. The draft order flows from an FCC investigation of large incumbent telco tariff practices, and the FNPRM would propose a new regulatory framework, said one source, who said a delay is possible but unlikely. "We expect both items to be circulated" Thursday, said a telecom industry official. An industry attorney said there was some momentum for placing the items on the April meeting agenda, with slippage still possible.