Covad and McLeodUSA Endorse Facilities-Based Competition

Covad Communications announced support for a phased approach to the migration of UNE-P customers to facilities-based competition using unbundled local loops (UNE-L) over the next few years. Covad has extensive experience working with UNE-L, which is the last-mile wire from the customer premise back to the central office. More than 166,000 Covad subscribers are currently provisioned through UNE-L to receive business-class broadband services that account for the majority of Covad's revenue.



"AT&T's recent proposal provides a thoughtful framework for further dialogue and commercial negotiations on these issues, and we hope that the incumbent phone companies will give it serious consideration," said James Kirkland, general counsel and senior vice president for Covad.



Separately, McLeodUSA reconfirmed its commitment to facilities-based competition and commended AT&T on its framework proposals announced last week. The company said it recognizes that any transition to facilities-based competition must be orderly and supported by appropriate and efficient processes and reductions in migration costs. http://www.covad.comhttp://www.mcleodusa.com