Rural senators urge FCC to use accurate data in special access assessment

The FCC says it’s trying to assess competition in the special access market – data services that broadband providers sell to other businesses – but it seems determined to make a basic mistake: excluding key competitors. Cable companies and former telephone companies are both active in the market, but the FCC is considering a method to measure competition that leaves cable companies out. Using such a method, the FCC would not only be factually wrong, it would actively discourage broadband investment.

A group of nine US senators signed a letter to Chairman Wheeler urging him to make a fair judgement of the market, explaining that an assessment of special access competition, especially when that assessment will be the basis of regulation, must be based on accurate information and incent further broadband development.

“As you work toward a final rule, it is especially important for rural states like ours that the Commission use all the available data, including the data submitted earlier this year by the major cable operators, to both measure competitive markets accurately and ensure that the regulations for noncompetitive markets are based on the real cost to provide service,” said the senators in their letter to Chairman Wheeler.

“Rural communities depend on robust investments in business data services to connect small businesses and anchor institutions, support wireless data service, and enable economic development,” the letter continued. “Without these investments, our rural constituents will face significant challenges in accessing the 21st century global economy.”

The senators who signed the letter: Jon Tester (D-MT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bob Casey (D-PA), Angus King Jr. (D-ME), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

Links:

FCC's special access debate raises ire of 9 rural U.S. senators (FierceTelecom, Aug. 2, 2016)

Rural Senators Express Concerns about FCC's Business Broadband Proposal (Yahoo.com, Aug. 2, 2016)

CWA letter to Chairman Wheeler on special access competition review (FCC, Mar. 31, 2016)