FCC Narrows Process For Telecoms Seeking Regulatory Waivers

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The Federal Communications Commission has narrowed the way telecommunications companies can seek relief in wholesale pricing and other business-to-business contract terms. The FCC announced new rules Monday requiring that companies' petitions to raise wholesale prices include all the facts, data, and arguments needed to prove that the waivers are warranted. Previously, companies' bids didn't need to be "complete" at the time of the filing. Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps repeatedly expressed frustration that requests for regulatory waivers cost countless staff hours and resources as the Commission attempted to evaluate ever-changing petitions. The new rule says any petition that is incomplete or defective on its face will be denied immediately. Parties can refile. The FCC also will post on its Web site a timeline that will identify the stages of review for each bona fide petition. Members of the public will be allowed to comment on the petitions within certain parameters. Companies also won't be allowed to withdraw or substantially curtail their petitions after a certain point in the process.


FCC Narrows Process For Telecoms Seeking Regulatory Waivers FCC Order Copps Adelstein McDowell