Divided FCC's decision is a mixed bag

ToshiroOC · Feb 21, 2003, 09:21 AM

As little as a month ago, it appeared the FCC would usher in sweeping deregulation of the telecom industry. FCC Chairman Michael Powell championed the elimination of line sharing rules which were set up in the 1996 Telecommunications Act, and with a Republican majority, Powell's will seemed to be assured. But Republican Commissioner Kevin Martin engaged in a political battle of wills with Powell which delayed the FCC's ruling a week and Martin eventually sided with the Democratic minority. With a blow to Powell, today's 3-2 vote upholds the individual states' role in local telephone service regulation while also relaxing regulations covering broadband services.

The ruling has been called a partial victory/loss for the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) and there will be many conflicting analyses on the ruling in the days and weeks to come. It is tough wading through the legalese of the FCC ruling and many of the news stories don't quite lay out the major points clearly, but here is my attempt.

--By Fred "Zamboni" Locklear, source: Ars Technica

Article can be read here.

Feb 21, 2003, 09:21 AM	#1
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	Divided FCC's decision is a mixed bag As little as a month ago, it appeared the FCC would usher in sweeping deregulation of the telecom industry. FCC Chairman Michael Powell championed the elimination of line sharing rules which were set up in the 1996 Telecommunications Act, and with a Republican majority, Powell's will seemed to be assured. But Republican Commissioner Kevin Martin engaged in a political battle of wills with Powell which delayed the FCC's ruling a week and Martin eventually sided with the Democratic minority. With a blow to Powell, today's 3-2 vote upholds the individual states' role in local telephone service regulation while also relaxing regulations covering broadband services. The ruling has been called a partial victory/loss for the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) and there will be many conflicting analyses on the ruling in the days and weeks to come. It is tough wading through the legalese of the FCC ruling and many of the news stories don't quite lay out the major points clearly, but here is my attempt. --By Fred "Zamboni" Locklear, source: Ars Technica Article can be read here.