USTelecom: FCC Should Purge Regulatory “Vestiges of a Bygone Era”

USTelecom filed a Petition for Forbearance from Legacy Telecom Regulations, essentially telling the Federal Communications Commission that it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee—“many rules were adopted in a different era, long before the advent of broadband networks or the creation of the public Internet.” USTelecom’s petition reflects murmurings in the economic, academic and Big Telecom circles over the past few months that it might be time for a new regulatory regime as even the 96 Act is becoming less and less relevant with each new cord cutter and cross-platform conglomerate. The petition is also in line with the White House and Congress’ push to get the FCC to clean house, and “the Commission’s commitment to eliminate unnecessary regulatory requirements.”