High Tech Broadband Coalition (HTBC) sent letter to Senate Commer...

hearing on broadband and local competition that will feature testimony by all 5 FCC comrs. “HTBC believes that the best way to achieve widespread adoption of broadband is to embrace the sustainable intermodal competition that has developed in the broadband market -- a market that is distinct from the legacy voice market,” letter said. HTBC said current regulations were affecting investment in broadband facilities, and some carriers could have to reduce capital expenditures up to 30% this year. “Without regulatory changes, industry capital expenditures will plummet further, declines in manufacturers’ research and development spending will persist, job losses will continue to mount and consumers will lose out on new services,” letter said. HTBC said FCC shouldn’t impose Sec. 251 sharing requirements on new, last-mile broadband facilities built by Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs). States also should be prohibited from imposing such obligations, HTBC said. But ILECs should provide competitive carriers with colocation space and UNE access to ILEC legacy copper facilities, letter said. “Removing the shackles on the heavily regulated ’telephone’ side of the broadband market will promote sorely needed competition for delivering to consumers an endless array of bandwidth-intensive applications,” it said. HTBC said FCC’s work on UNEs had been the coalition’s principal focus in encouraging broadband deployment. HTBC members include Business Software Alliance, Consumer Electronics Assn., Information Technology Industry Council, National Assn. of Manufacturers, Semiconductor Industry Assn. and Telecom Industry Assn.