FCC adopts BDS Order, opens proceedings on 5G wireless deployment, IP transition

The FCC’s April meeting was a busy one. The Commission, currently comprised of two Republicans and one Democrat, voted to adopt an Order on the business data services (BDS) market, and to open proceedings on regulatory barriers to next generation wireless infrastructure deployment and the IP transition.

The Commission adopted an Order on business data services deregulating these “special access” services in most parts of the country. BDS are the dedicated services connecting business, nonprofit, and government institutions. The BDS Order found that the special access marketplace is competitive in most regions of the country and for all-fiber special access connections, making price regulation unnecessary. This FCC action comes after former Chairman Tom Wheeler tried to cut BDS rates last year. That proposal – one that would have hurt rural broadband deployment and favored anti-union wireless companies such as T-Mobile and Sprint – was strongly opposed by the Communications Workers of America and eventually dropped from the agenda without a vote.

The Commission also opened two proceedings on broadband infrastructure. Under the guise of “removing barriers to broadband deployment,” the Commission voted to revisit the FCC’s technology transition criteria. Last year, the Obama FCC adopted reasonable criteria that protect customers if an incumbent provider seeks FCC permission to drop landline voice service. Strong customer protections, like those adopted by the FCC last year, are vital during this time of transition.  

The Commission also voted to open a wireless infrastructure siting proceeding, designed to create model codes for city and state review of  wireless companies’ applications to deploy small cell equipment on utility poles, street lights, and along public rights-of-way. State and local governments have raised significant concerns about federal preemption of local authority, pointing out that cities have worked constructively with wireless carriers to smooth the deployment of wireless infrastructure while balancing city residents’ interests.

Links:

FCC Advances Competition and Investment in the Business Data Services Market (FCC, Apr. 20, 2017)

CWA delivers 7,100 petitions to the FCC on Business Data Services proposal (Speed Matters, Oct. 20, 2016)

FCC drops harmful business data services proposal (Speed Matters, Nov. 18, 2016)

FCC Takes Steps to Promote Wireless Broadband Deployment (FCC, Apr. 20, 2017)

FCC Seeks Comment on Ways to Accelerate Next-Generation Networks by Removing Regulatory Barriers (FCC, Apr. 20, 2017)

FCC updates service discontinuance rules (Speed Matters, July 14, 2016)

CWA: Verizon neglects copper lines (June 11, 2016)