AT&T, CenturyLink claim Granite's request to combine Section 271, wholesale services will delay IP transition

AT&T and CenturyLink said in separate filings with the Federal Communications Commission that Granite Telecommunications' request to combine unbundled local circuit switching and shared transport services is not only procedurally flawed, but could also inhibit their ongoing transitions to an all IP network. At issue is Granite's argument that traditional incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) should offer equivalently priced wholesale access services that they offer today over their existing TDM-based networks such as T-1 and DS-3 services.

Traditional telecommunication companies are mandated to offer unbundled network elements and other wholesale services under Section 271 of the 1996 Telecom Act. The competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC)'s concern is that if operators like AT&T and Verizon discontinue these services and don't provide similar service at equivalent rates, it could pose potential harm to both the CLEC and their customers who can now choose from a number of lower priced service options besides the ILEC. Granite added that ILECs' customers will also suffer due to the higher prices because they would not be able to purchase services from other providers. Comptel, an industry advocacy group that represents CLECs, said in its own filing that the FCC should rule that ILECs should be required commingle or allow competitive providers to commingle a Section 271 network element or other network elements they buy from an ILEC.