COMPTEL Comments on FCC Technology Transitions Policy Task Force Presentation

We are grateful for the leadership of Chairman Wheeler and the FCC’s Technology Transitions Task Force in addressing the ongoing evolution of the network and recognition of the importance of competition.

When the critical wholesale tenets of the Telecom Act have been fully implemented, competition has thrived. The principles of the Act do not change, however, as the network transitions to new technologies. New entrants have been leveraging IP technology for more than a decade to cost-effectively deliver a host of innovative products and services to consumers. As legacy carriers begin to more fully embrace IP technology and the Task Force explores a variety of issues related to this network evolution, it is important that the fundamental goal of the Act – to provide consumers with greater choice through competitive options – is not diminished. We believe the Commission can best promote competition and ensure that consumers can access their provider of choice by ensuring last mile access and interconnection on reasonable terms, regardless of technology. We look forward to working with the Chairman and the Task Force on the experiments, data collection, and establishing the legal and policy framework to ensure that all consumers – including residential, business and wholesale customers – can benefit from the network evolution.