FCC Seeks Input on the Impact of Middle and Second Mile Access on Broadband Availability and Deployment

In the National Broadband Plan proceeding, the Federal Communications Commission specifically requested that parties provide information as to whether "backhaul costs . . . stand as impediments to further broadband deployments . . ." As the FCC develops a National Broadband Plan, several entities have claimed that adequate, reasonably priced, and efficiently provided access to middle and second mile transport services and facilities play an important-if not gating-role in the economics of broadband deployment, particularly in rural, unserved, and underserved areas. In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks further information in order to understand more fully the cost and availability of these important facilities and how they relate to making broadband available to all Americans.

The FCC has specific questions about:

1) Network Components of Broadband Connectivity,

2) Availability and Pricing of Middle and Second Mile Connectivity,

3) Pricing and Availability of Internet Connectivity,

4) Economics of Deployment, and

5) Nature of Competition and Availability of Alternatives.

Comments in the proceeding are due November 4.

Also see the FCC's order to protect confidential information.