The Consumer Video Choice Coalition still supports the original FCC set-top proposal, but said an app- based solution must preserve the same core ideas outlined in the NPRM, representatives from CVCC members Incompas, CCIA, Hauppauge, Public Knowledge, Vizio and TiVo relayed in a meeting Tuesday with aides to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and with FCC Chief Technologist Scott Jordan, according to an ex parte posted Friday in docket 16-42. They said an app-based set-top proposal needs to be available on a wide choice of platforms, offer the same services as multichannel video programming distributors and include universal search and an “open, independent UI [user interface]." The proposal would need to include rules preventing discriminatory treatment by MVPDs, and strong enforcement mechanisms, CVCC said. “Any solution adopted by the FCC should ensure that consumers can access all the content they have paid for on the device of their choosing.” NAB issued a warning on copyright related to the proceeding, also Friday in the docket (see 1609020032).
A critique of Verizon/Incompas business data service proposals was mistakenly sent to an FCC Daily Digest email distribution list Friday. "This e-mail was simply sent in error to the Daily Digest address," the agency said in a subsequent email. "The content of the e-mail was not part of the Daily Digest. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused." The BDS deal proposed by Verizon and Incompas "leaves billions of extra expenses charged to competitors and stifles potential growth," said the emailed Seeking Alpha piece by "contrarian" Bruce Kushnick, executive director of the New Networks Institute, which has joined the Consumer Federation of America in making pro-regulation arguments in the agency's BDS proceeding in docket 16-143.
A critique of Verizon/Incompas business data service proposals was mistakenly sent to an FCC Daily Digest email distribution list Friday. "This e-mail was simply sent in error to the Daily Digest address," the agency said in a subsequent email. "The content of the e-mail was not part of the Daily Digest. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused." The BDS deal proposed by Verizon and Incompas "leaves billions of extra expenses charged to competitors and stifles potential growth," said the emailed Seeking Alpha piece by "contrarian" Bruce Kushnick, executive director of the New Networks Institute, which has joined the Consumer Federation of America in making pro-regulation arguments in the agency's BDS proceeding in docket 16-143.
The Consumer Video Choice Coalition still supports the original FCC set-top proposal, but said an app- based solution must preserve the same core ideas outlined in the NPRM, representatives from CVCC members Incompas, CCIA, Hauppauge, Public Knowledge, Vizio and TiVo relayed in a meeting Tuesday with aides to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and with FCC Chief Technologist Scott Jordan, according to an ex parte posted Friday in docket 16-42. They said an app-based set-top proposal needs to be available on a wide choice of platforms, offer the same services as multichannel video programming distributors and include universal search and an “open, independent UI [user interface]." The proposal would need to include rules preventing discriminatory treatment by MVPDs, and strong enforcement mechanisms, CVCC said. “Any solution adopted by the FCC should ensure that consumers can access all the content they have paid for on the device of their choosing.” NAB issued a warning on copyright related to the proceeding, also Friday in the docket (see 1609020032).
Midsize incumbent telcos urged the FCC to reject Incompas/Verizon proposals for regulating business data services (BDS) that the ILECs called meritless. "It should go without saying that the Commission may not, on the basis of an alleged compromise, adopt outcomes that are on their own indefensible," said CenturyLink, Frontier Communications, FairPoint Communications and Consolidated Communications in a filing posted Tuesday in docket 16-143, as cable companies and other parties continued to lobby regulators in anticipation of possible commission action this fall (see 1608260055).
Midsize incumbent telcos urged the FCC to reject Incompas/Verizon proposals for regulating business data services (BDS) that the ILECs called meritless. "It should go without saying that the Commission may not, on the basis of an alleged compromise, adopt outcomes that are on their own indefensible," said CenturyLink, Frontier Communications, FairPoint Communications and Consolidated Communications in a filing posted Tuesday in docket 16-143, as cable companies and other parties continued to lobby regulators in anticipation of possible commission action this fall (see 1608260055).
Incompas fired back at CenturyLink opposition to proposed rate reductions for business data services, saying the telco's cost claims are based on "unreliable evidence that contradicts public statements." Parties this week continued robust BDS lobbying of the FCC, which some expect to act this fall. Incumbent telcos, a cable company and allies urged the commission not to impose BDS regulation they say will discourage investment in deployment of high-speed fiber lines and other facilities. Meanwhile, U.S. TelePacific said AT&T's most recent BDS tariff filings still didn't comply with an FCC order.
Incompas fired back at CenturyLink opposition to proposed rate reductions for business data services, saying the telco's cost claims are based on "unreliable evidence that contradicts public statements." Parties this week continued robust BDS lobbying of the FCC, which some expect to act this fall. Incumbent telcos, a cable company and allies urged the commission not to impose BDS regulation they say will discourage investment in deployment of high-speed fiber lines and other facilities. Meanwhile, U.S. TelePacific said AT&T's most recent BDS tariff filings still didn't comply with an FCC order.
Parties backed the FCC 2015 tech transition order on the discontinuance process for replacing legacy telecom services provided over copper networks with IP services over fiber and other broadband networks. CLECs, their trade group Incompas, and Public Knowledge said the FCC correctly interpreted Communications Act Section 214 "to require approval for wholesale changes" to ILEC offerings that would limit consumer functionality. "Petitioner's contrary argument reduces to the assertion that service is not 'impaired' or 'reduced' when fax machines stop working, customers can no longer reach 911, medical monitoring devices stop working, and retailer credit-card readers do not function -- or even call clarity and reliability decline -- absent inconsistency with some representation in a tariff," they said in an intervenor brief (in Pacer) Monday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (USTelecom v. FCC, No. 15-1414). But Section 214 "is a licensing provision requiring a certificate of public convenience and necessity for any change" that degrades service, not just changes that create inconsistencies with tariffs, they wrote. The FCC properly decided Section 214 approval is needed for changes that degrade service to any customer, including CLEC customers, not just ILEC customers, and that ILECs should be required to provide reasonably comparable replacement services before discontinuing wholesale service, they said. The CLECs were: Access Point, BullsEye Telecom, Granite Telecommunications, Level 3, Manhattan Telecommunications, Matrix Telecom, New Horizon Communications, Windstream, Xchange Telecom and XO Communications. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's brief (in Pacer) said the FCC adopted "forward looking" regulations to maintain "public safety, pro-consumer, pro-competition policies and protections." Citing the FCC determination that tech transitions shouldn't be a "pretext to limit" competition or "compromise" wholesale access, the PUC agreed the federal agency took reasonable action to ensure new IP services meet consumer and provider needs.
Associations and companies of every stripe support FCC efforts to streamline rules for so-called Team Telecom reviews of transactions involving foreign ownership, according to comments posted Friday in docket 16-155. “Protection of U.S. national security, law enforcement, and public safety interests need not entail the uncertainty, costs, and inequitable treatment embodied by the current Team Telecom review process,” said Level 3. Commenters want the FCC to hold executive branch review to certain timelines and reduce the scope of deals that trigger Team Telecom review, they said.