COMPTEL Warns of Factual Distortions in IIA Paper 

IP Transition Policy Must Be Based On Accurate Data and Analysis 

COMPTEL today released a statement addressing claims made by the Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA) in an October 8, 2013, white paper entitled "Telecommunications Competition: The Infrastructure-Investment Race," authored by Anna-Maria Kovacs. 

COMPTEL stated that the  "nation's transition to IP technology holds great promise for consumers and carriers. Indeed, competitive carriers have been at the forefront of introducing IP-based services to consumers, and many of our members' networks already are all IP. Discussions on the best policies to support a successful transition of the industry to IP, one where competition flourishes and consumers are protected, should be based on hard data that is accurately portrayed, analyzed and supported. Unfortunately, much of the analysis underlying the core claims of the IIA white paper fail to meet such a standard. 

COMPTEL identified five critical flaws in the IIA Paper:  

1. The claim that ILECs are continuing to make significant investment in legacy (time-division multiplexing, or TDM) networks is not supported by the underlying data.  
2. The claim that ILECs are being forced to waste capital and operating funds on obsolete networks by "monopoly era" regulation is not supported by any analysis.  
3. The claim that U.S. communications traffic has almost completed the transition to IP is definitional gamesmanship.  
4. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 has not failed.  
5. The IIA paper ignores the financial benefit of depreciated plant. 

COMPTEL noted that the above assertions in the IIA paper have the potential to distract from - if not distort - a reasoned policy discussion on the IP transition. The IIA paper is a reminder that statistical data often requires an in-depth evaluation before it can be useful. 

To read COMPTEL's full statement, click here.

UNITEL to Host Webinar on October 30 to Provide Information on Ways to Reduce Employee Benefits Costs

COMPTEL has partnered with UNITEL Insurance to provide its members an opportunity to enhance employee benefits while potentially saving money. Healthcare reform continues to dominate the focus for companies offering medical benefits, forcing companies to look at ways to reduce benefits to control cost. Studies show that a high percentage of employees rely on employers to provide life and disability insurance, so it is critical for businesses to continue to offer robust benefit packages to attract and retain the best talent in the industry. 

• Extended rate guarantees
• Tiered benefit structures
• Enhanced disability options
• Cost savings