FCC ruling draws scrutiny from Real Access Alliance

Real Estate Weekly, Oct 18, 2000

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took action to foster competition in multiunit buildings while rejecting calls by some in the telecom industry for extensive regulations governing the way property owners provide access to their buildings for telecommunications services, it was announced last week.

In announcing the Commission's decision, Chairman William Kennard specifically praised the efforts of the Real Access Alliance to "voluntarily agree to increased access to buildings and to best practices in accelerating time for negotiations with new entrants."

Roger Platt, spokesman for the Alliance, said, "It appears the FCC action consists of constructive, reasonable steps to ensure tenants receive the best possible access to competitive telecom services.

"Since the devil is usually in the details," Platt added, "we look forward to reviewing the actual report and order once it's issued by the FCC."