Free Press Pleased With FCC Action on Special Access and DISH Spectrum
WASHINGTON -- On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission adopted an order that enables the Wireline Bureau to gather broadband-industry data, allowing the agency to assess the level of competition that exists in the special access market.
Special access refers to the high-capacity broadband lines that universities and small businesses lease from incumbent Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon. Special access lines are also used by competitive wireless carriers like Sprint to connect their wireless infrastructure to the Internet. Fair and reasonable rates for special access service are crucial for competitive carriers in keeping their costs down and offering consumers better prices.
The FCC also adopted an order allowing DISH to develop mobile broadband services over spectrum licenses it purchased from TerreStar and DBSD.
Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood made the following statement:
“Collecting good data is necessary for the FCC to adopt a new special access framework that will promote competition and drive prices down for consumers. However, it’s clear that the market for dedicated special access lines has long been broken and it’s time for the FCC to create new rules.
“FCC action that quickly allows new companies to enter the market for mobile service is extremely important. Consumers have long craved more choice in the market for high-speed wireless service. But spectrum alone isn't enough for even an established company like DISH to effectively compete against Verizon and AT&T's market power. The FCC must address the other foreclosure tactics the Bells use to thwart competition, such as blocking interoperability, maintaining monopoly special access prices and using anti-competitive exclusive equipment contracts."
