FCC Meets this Week to Decide Unbundling Obligations of Incumbent Carriers

The FCC is scheduled to meet on Thursday, 13-February-2003 to decide unbundling obligations of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs) and to set an appropriate framework for broadband access to the Internet over wireline facilities. FCC Commissioners are expected to vote on new rules that significantly alter the terms under which ILECs make elements of their networks available on an unbundled basis to their competitors. The Bell companies are urging the FCC to remove switching from the list of required unbundled elements and to transition all competition away from the UNE-P model. Competitive local service providers, especially AT&T, warn that such landmark policy changes would stifle competition.

Also on the FCC agenda for Thursday are possible revisions to current rules regarding Ultra-Wideband transmission systems, and new rules concerning non-discrimination on the basis of disability for FCC programs and activities.

The meeting will be webcast live beginning at 9:30 am EST from the FCC's Audio/Video Events web page.
http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio