Grassroots Group Plans FCC E-Mail Protest Friday; Targets BellSouth Filing

Telecom Policy Report, Dec 8, 2004

This Friday, the Washington Bureau for ISP Advocacy (WBIA) will launch a virtual Gigabyte March on the Federal Communications Commission to protest recent actions by regional holding companies they say will stifle growth of broadband service and related e-commerce activities. Gigabyte Marchers are protesting a petition filed last October BellSouth requesting forbearance from Title II common carriage requirements that apply to incumbent LEC broadband transmission. The ILEC also seeks forbearance from the Computer Inquiry rules that require incumbent LECs to tariff and offer the transport component of their broadband services on a stand-alone basis, and to take service under those same terms and conditions.

The WBIA is a volunteer coalition working with such groups as the Information Technology Association of America, TeleTruth, the American Alliance of Service Providers, Brand X Networks, the Capitol Telecommunications Professionals, the Power Line Communications Association, Rural Broadband Coalition, the California Internet Service Providers Association (CISPA), Tri-State Broadband and the North Texas Technology Council (NTTC).

Virtual marchers are asked to send a message communicating their concerns to the FCC and other key Congressional and regulatory officials

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