1. Monthly archive
  2. July 2017

July 2017

CenturyLink wants to shed 7 legacy analog, low-speed data services in 24 states

CenturyLink is seeking the Federal Communications Commission’s permission to shut down a number of low-speed data and analog services in 24 states located in its predecessor company CenturyTel’s territories, citing lack of demand. Specifically, the service provider wants to discontinue seven of its wholesale interstate analog and low-speed data services: Metallic, Telegraph, Narrowband, Wideband analog, Wideband Digital, Program Audio and Analog Video services.

CenturyLink, which offers these services through CenturyLink’s FCC’s Tariff numbers 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, has requested to shut down these analog and low-speed data services by September 22, 2017. The service provider said in its FCC filing that “there are no customers for any of these low-speed analog services.” All of these services were used for applications that were part of a bygone era that have been replaced by more modern IP-based services.

CenturyLink nixes DSL usage caps after yearlong trial, credits affected customers

CenturyLink has had a change of heart about implementing usage caps on its low-speed DSL users, stopping a one-year trial in Washington state. The service provider said the usage-based metering is not in line with its efforts to provide clear plans on how to charge for its DSL services.

“Because this approach no longer aligns with our goal to simplify offers and pricing for our customers, we have decided to end this program, effective May 3, 2017,” CenturyLink said in an announcement on its site. A key part of this latest announcement is that it will give bill credits to customers in Yakima, Washington, who were charged overage fees during the trial. “If you incurred overage charges related to this program, those charges will be credited and appear on your June or July monthly billing statement,” CenturyLink said. “No action is required on your part, and there are no impacts to your existing CenturyLink service."

Cities fight bill to streamline cell antenna installations

Lawmakers in 179 California cities including San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco are fighting a bill to streamline permitting for wireless antennas on public buildings, streetlamps and traffic signal poles that they say would limit local control over where they go. Senate Bill 649, by State Sen Ben Hueso, (D-San Diego), proposes scaling back permit processes for antennas and equipment in an effort to meet demand for wireless services. It would cap how much a local government could charge phone companies for leases to $250 per year, though it does not prohibit them from “mutually agreeing” to a charge that’s different.

Supporters say the proposed law could lower cell phone bills for customers, increase wireless access, allow the state to deploy 5G networks and help California remain a leader in the wireless industry. But the cities and counties opposing the bill say it would be a financial giveaway to telecom companies at the expense of taxpayers. Local officials, they say, would no longer approve the permits in a public hearing, and would lose their power to negotiate public benefits, such as network access for police, fire and parks.

Mexico's America Movil details argument in telecom dispute

Billionaire Carlos Slim's America Movil argued on July 5 against rules brought in by an overhaul of the country's telecommunications industry, saying in a statement they were unfair and had led to a loss of its business rights. In the latest chapter in a fight that could shape the future of competition in the sector, the supreme court is considering whether to undo parts of an overhaul that tilted the playing field against Slim's long-dominant America Movil and led to steep drops in prices that Mexicans pay for cell phone service and internet access.

Slim's lawyers argued that unfair "asymmetrical" rules prohibit America Movil from charging other telephone carriers for connecting their calls made to customers on its network, but let those companies charge America Movil for connecting its calls to their customers. The so-called "zero tariff" applied to Slim's company has undermined the power of the sector's regulator IFT as well as the rights of America Movil units Telmex and Telcel under past concessions awarded to them by the government, the statement said. The company said it has been harmed by the elimination of its rights to "cost recovery, economic stability and financial balance" granted by the concessions.

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