VOL. 11, NO. 45

November 30, 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

Pole Attachments

FCC Open Meeting

SAVE THE DATE

Februray 9-11, 2016

INCOMPAS Policy Summit & Celebration

of the 20th Anniversary of the 1996 Telecommunications Act

CEO BLOG

Read the latest blog from INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering:

"Broadband Competition is a Year Round Deal"

MEMBER NEWS

Evolve IP Selects Solution From Equinox

Windstream Expands Network to Florida Market to Meet Increasing Carrier and Content Customer Demands

FCC DEADLINES

January 6, 2016
Comments Due in Special Access Reform Rulemaking

February 5, 2016
Reply Comments Due in Special Access Reform Rulemaking

FCC Resolves Disparities in
Pole Attachment Rates

On November 24, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) addressed concerns that trade associations and carriers had with the 2011 Pole Attachment Order. When the FCC originally adopted the order, it sought to bring parity to pole attachment rates calculated using the telecom or cable rate formula, so that all attachments rates would be at or near the cable rate formula level. However it only addressed certain situations.

In June 2011 INCOMPAS (then COMPTEL), the National Cable and Telecommunication Association (NCTA), and Level 3 (then tw telecom) filed a petition for reconsideration that sought clarification of the rules adopted in the 2011 Pole Attachment Order, and asked the Commission either to clarify that 66 percent and 44 percent are "illustrations" of the new rule, or to revise the rules to "provide corresponding cost adjustments to other entity counts."

Last week's action resolves the remaining disparities between the pole attachment rates applicable to cable and telecommunications providers, lowering the telecom rate to that under the cable formula, as requested in the petition. This action is a critical step forward in promoting broadband deployment.

"Large or small, incumbent or competitor, broadband providers stand united in their support of increasing broadband deployment through sound, reasonable pole attachment policy," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. "The FCC's decision to essentially grant the joint request by telecommunication carriers and cable operators to ensure unified and reasonable pole attachment rates is a win for consumers and business customers looking to connect with future networks."

FCC to Address Forbearance at December Open Meeting

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler last week announced that US Telecom's petition for forbearance would be on the the tentative agenda for the Commission's next open meeting, scheduled for Thursday, December 17.

During the meeting, the Commission will consider a Memorandum Opinion and Order addressing a petition from USTelecom that seeks forbearance from various categories of statutory and Commission requirements applicable to incumbent local exchange carriers.

Also on the agenda are Part 25 Rules for governing licensing and operation of space stations and earth stations for the provision of satellite communication services.