The NPRM tentatively concludes that carriers seeking to discontinue a service used as a wholesale input should be required to provide competitive carriers equivalent wholesale access going forward. It also proposes to update the FCC's rules to ensure that competitive carriers receive sufficient notice of when copper networks are being shut off, so that they can continue to serve their customers effectively.

Additionally, the NPRM seeks to increase transparency to empower and protect consumers during transitions, when carriers plan to retire existing copper networks, and proposes a framework for ensuring consumers are able to call 911 during a power outage.

"COMPTEL commends the Commission for its commitment to ensuring that public safety, competition and consumer protection are preserved during the technology transitions," said Chip Picerking, COMPTEL's CEO. "Competitors have been leading the way on the IP transition for more than a decade, providing businesses, schools and libraries, nonprofits, the government and public safety agencies with alternative, innovative choices in the marketplace."

He added: "As incumbents embrace and adopt IP technology, it is imperative that competition continues and that access to customers via the last mile is not disrupted. Equivalent wholesale access at equivalent rates, terms and conditions is a critical component to promoting competition and ensuring that competitors can reach their customers. The rulemaking that the Commission initiated today is an important step in providing the certainty competitors require to continue investing in the marketplace and benefitting business customers throughout the nation. We look forward to working with the Commission in this proceeding to ensure that competition advances as technologies evolve."