Group Requests FCC NOI On Transition To All-Broadband Networks

The Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies on Friday called on the Federal Communications Commission to request public comment on how public policy can best facilitate the transition of the public switched telephone network to a broadband network. Elements of an FCC notice of inquiry should include questions related to "the length of time for the transition, jurisdictions, definitions for a completed transition, legacy network needs until all customers are switched over, PSTN maintenance during and after a transition, carrier of last resort issues, consumer choice and pricing issues, and quality and reliability issues," the group said in comments it filed on a proposed national broadband plan.