FCC: Rural Telcos Must Interconnect With Competitors

The Federal Communications Commission issued a ruling that essentially requires rural telcos to interconnect with telecompetitors.

"Our decision will promote competition and spur investment in communications networks and services, particularly in rural areas, by encouraging the deployment of facilities-based voice services," said the FCC in its decision. “The decision will also give competitors the opportunity to offer ‘triple-play’ services (voice, video and data) by providing interconnection with incumbent carriers in the same area.” The move came in response to a request made by Time Warner Cable and its wholesale provider CRC Communications. Those companies asked the FCC to pre-empt a decision made by the Maine Public Utilities Commission which exempted Oklahoma Western Telephone Company, a rural carrier operating in the state, from interconnecting with the competitors.