The Federal Communications Commission faces a deadline of midnight tonight to rule on AT&T's request for forbearannce from broadband network access charge regulation. CLECs have fired back, saying that if the FCC grants requests by the major ILECs for forbearance, the companies will overcharge or deny competing carriers network access. The forbearance seekers say competition has progressed far enough that regulation is no longer needed.
There's been some talk that the FCC may grant AT&T's request, with certain conditions. The FCC also could rule on a forbearance request from Qwest at the same time. The agency delayed action on the forbearance issue last month.
For more:
- Read this piece in The Wall Street Journal (Sub. req.)
Related articles:
- Qwest withdrew and re-filed its forbearance request last month