AT&T Seen Likely to Win a Reprieve From Some of FCC's Broadband Rules

AT&T SEEN LIKELY TO WIN A REPRIEVE FROM SOME OF FCC'S BROADBAND RULES
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Corey Boles]
AT&T is seen as likely to win a reprieve from the Federal Communications Commission from having to comply with some rules in the commercial broadband market. In exchange, AT&T may have to agree to stricter regulation over the special-access market, which provides high-volume voice and data services to large commercial customers. The FCC is obliged to vote by midnight today on a petition from the company filed 15 months ago to be excused from some of the regulations it currently faces. The petition is being opposed by smaller telephone and Internet companies that have argued it would allow AT&T to be excused from rules which give them access to AT&T's network. Two FCC commissioners are opposed to the motion, while two, including FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, are in favor of it. That leaves as the swing vote to Commissioner Robert McDowell. Analysts say he may vote in favor of the AT&T filing, but demand some movement from Chairman Martin to exert closer scrutiny of the special-access market.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119206996267755639.html?mod=todays_us_marketplace
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http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/2007/10/mcdowell_emerging_as_key_on_tw.html