Articles - Policy
Local Resellers Sue AT&T Over Promotions
Local resellers of AT&T ILEC services have sued AT&T over the treatment of promotions offered by AT&T companies to new retail customers. The resellers contend that AT&T must give its wholesale customers, like them, the full value of any promotions that...
New FCC Commissioners Chosen, New Policy Direction Expected
On June 16, 2009, the Senate Commerce Committee held a confirmation hearing for new FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and for reconfirmation for a new term for current Commissioner Robert McDowell. Just a couple of days later, both Commissioners were conf...
The Broadband Stimulus, or How to Spend $7 Billion in 16 Months
Although its formal name is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, most people know it simply as the “Economic Stimulus Bill.” Included among the more than $750 billion in spending plans in the Bill is more than $7 billion for t...
FCC Wins Two Appeals Court Decisions in Three Days
Over the last several years, the D.C. Circuit has been the U.S. Court of Appeals preferred forum for those seeking to get court reversals of FCC decisions. Although historically friendly to the FCC, from the mid-1990s forward the D.C. Circuit became inc...
Broadband Deployment Likely to be Key Topic At FCC In 2009
Barack Obama has been sworn in as President and Kevin Martin has bowed out as FCC Chairman. Mr. Martin has joined the Aspen Institute, a common waystation for departing FCC officials until they find a more permanent position. As expected, the FCC now has...
Telecom Policy Will Change Dramatically in 2009
With the drama of the 2008 election over, the punditocracy is now focused on how the outcome will translate into changes in governance. While not on most commentators top five list, telecommunications policy is an area which also may see substantial cha...
USF Battle Heats Up at FCC, While FTC Extends "Red Flag" Rule Start Date to May
Recently I wrote in this space about the FCC’s scheduled Election Day meeting to consider a major revision to the “intercarrier compensation” scheme. That revision would dramatically rewrite the rules for telephone company interexchang...
FCC To Take Up "Intercarrier Compensation"
After years of discussion and litigation, but little reform, and prompted by a negative ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has announced his intention to hold a Commission meeting on November 4 to consider a plan to completel...
FCC Extends USF Fees to Audio Conferencing, Congress Extends 911 Immunity to VoIP
FCC Extends USF Fees to Audio Conferencing, Congress Extends 911 Immunity to VoIP By Danny Adams The “New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008” was passed overwhelmingly by both houses of Congress in late June. By the...
FCC Reverses Staff, Rules Against Verizon Retention Marketing
In a rare reversal of a staff ruling, on June 23, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission rejected an April 11 Recommended Decision issued by its Enforcement Bureau and ordered the Verizon local exchange companies to “cease and desist” t...
