FCC Extends Wireline Broadband, UNE Review Deadlines

Communications Today, May 30, 2002

The Federal Communications Commission Wednesday extended the deadlines for companies to comment on the commission's Wireline Broadband and Triennial Unbundled Network Element (UNE) Review proceedings.

Companies will now have until July 1 to file comments on the commission's "Broadband Access to the Internet over Wireline Facilities" review. They will also have until July 17 to file responses to the agency's UNE proceeding. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) to lease at reduced rates elements of their networks to competitors.

The commission said it extended the deadlines to give companies "sufficient time" to respond to a recent court ruling. This past week, the U.S. District Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., remanded to the FCC the commission's rules allowing upstart phone companies competing with dominant local providers to provide high-speed service over the same lines subscribers use for conventional voice service. The court also told the commission to reconsider broader rules that require incumbents to lease to competitors at low prices a variety of network elements that can be used to provide phone service.