Qwest pulls bid to ease price rules

QWEST PULLS BID TO EASE PRICE RULES
[SOURCE: Denver Post, AUTHOR: Andy Vuongavuong@denverpost.com]
Qwest withdrew a petition with federal regulators late Tuesday that sought to ease restrictions on what the Baby Bell can charge competitors for access to its communications network. The Federal Communications Commission was to review the petition during its monthly meeting Tuesday, but the issue was removed from the agenda Monday. Still, had Qwest not withdrawn the petition, the agency would have been required under federal law to issue a ruling by midnight Tuesday or the application would have been "deemed granted." Instead, Qwest pulled the petition and plans to re-file it today, giving the FCC time to review the issue. Earlier Tuesday, the FCC asked Qwest to clarify what services the company wanted deregulated. In a response, Qwest said it is seeking relief on access services, essentially "last mile" broadband connections the company provides into metro areas and individual buildings. FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell said, "In a perfect world, the Commission today would have taken another step forward to de-regulate segments of the telecommunications industry where sufficient competition has grown to obviate the need for further government involvement. Thus, I am disappointed that Qwest felt it had to withdraw its forbearance petition regarding enterprise broadband services."
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_6865782?source=rss

* Commissioner McDowell's statement:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276583A1.doc