FCC Moves to Protect 911 As Telcos Hang up on POTS, DSL Users We've discussed at length how AT&T's "IP transition" is being framed as some sort of evolutionary transition toward a "glorious all-IP future," but is really largely about AT&T (and Verizon) gutting regulations in order to hang up on POTS and DSL users they simply don't want to upgrade. After Verizon used Sandy as an excuse to refuse to upgrade their own unwanted POTS and DSL customers, the FCC stepped in to mandate two small IP transition trials to help analyze what kind of problems we can expect as users are cut off from the PSTN and pushed on to wireless (or nothing at all). Today the FCC issued an NPRM with a heavy emphasis on making sure 911 works during and after this transition, and that Internet voice services come with reliable backup batteries. It also explores what happens to smaller competitive ISPs when they suddenly find their access to the customer terminated, and examines requiring that carriers are very clear when it comes to telling consumers what services they're losing (and what it's being replaced by). "The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted by the FCC today includes proposals to update rules ensuring access to public safety, protecting consumers faced with network changes and discontinuation of services, and preserving wholesale access to last-mile networks by competitive providers serving businesses and large institutions," notes the FCC. Though there's nothing particularly controversial about today's announcement, Republican FCC Commissioners and friends were quick to...do what they do, voting against the NPRM 2 to 3. Their supporters also were quick to do what they do, claiming that creating some transition rules to prevent consumers from getting screwed is the same as engaging in a "federal takeover of the 911 system": Let's not understate the Rubicon #FCC is crossing today on 911: it's a federal takeover of state/local 911 system - @AjitPaiFCC #FCCLive — Berin Szoka (@BerinSzoka) November 21, 2014 In addition to the technical problems of moving from the PSTN to wireless, there's a significant competitive problem that's arising with this transition as well. As AT&T and Verizon back away from DSL users they don't want to upgrade, they're effectively creating an even stronger fixed-line cable industry monopoly in many markets than consumers mean now. That means even higher prices and worse service, something Democrats and Republicans alike don't appear to be taking very seriously based on the fact it was missing from today's proposal entirely. In addition to the technical problems of moving from the PSTN to wireless, there's a significant competitive problem that's arising with this transition as well. As AT&T and Verizon back away from DSL users they don't want to upgrade, they're effectively creating an even stronger fixed-line cable industry monopoly in many markets than consumers mean now. That means even higher prices and worse service, something Democrats and Republicans alike don't appear to be taking very seriously based on the fact it was missing from today's proposal entirely.







News Jump Comcast Shuts Off Internet for Subs Who Were Sold Service Illegally; AT&T, Verizon Team To Stop T-Mobile 5G; + more news California Defends Its Net Neutrality Law; AT&T's Traffic Up 20% Despite Data Traffic Actually Being Down; + more news Are The Comcast-Charter X1 Talks Dead In The Water?; AT&T May Offer Phone Plans With Ads For Discounts; + more news Europe's Top Court: Net Neutrality Rules Bar Zero Rating; ViacomCBS To Rebrand CBS All Access As Paramount+; + more news Verizon To Buy Reseller TracFone For $7B; 5G Not The Competitive Threat To Cable Many Thought It Would Be; + more news MS.Wants Records From AT&T On $300M Project; Google Fiber Outages In Austin, Houston, Other Texan Cities; + more news States With The Biggest Decreases In Speed; AT&T Hopes You'll Forget Its Fight Against Accurate Maps; + more news AT&T's CEO Has A Familiar $olution To US Broadband Woes; EarthLink Files Suit Against Charter; + more news 5G Doesn't Live Up To Hype, AT&T's 5G Slower Than Its 4G; Cord-Cutting Now In 37% of Broadband Households; + more news FCC Cited False Broadband Data Despite Warnings; ZTE, Huawei Replacement Cost Is $1.87B, But Only $1B Allocated; + more ---------------------- this week last week most discussed

Most recommended from 64 comments



n2jtx

join:2001-01-13

Glen Head, NY 2 recommendations n2jtx Member 911 Subsidies I am willing to bet that despite all this talk about government takeovers and socialism, the telco's are still more than happy to take the 911 subsidies to keep the system running. New York has two 911 taxes and the telco's get their cut to maintain the system. Great for them if they can keep taking the money and not keep the system going.