FCC Modifies Local Access Rules

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission Thursday modified rules requiring incumbent local exchange carriers to lease portions of the local network to rivals at regulated rates.

In a major disappointment to the local carriers, the commission largely left in tact requirements regarding the provision of voice services.

However, it did make several changes regarding broadband services, which two of the commissioners did not support.

The commission also ruled that incumbent carriers will no longer have to provide switching to rivals for business customers using high-capacity loops, but gave state regulators 90 days to rebut the ruling.

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