CTIA Makes Case in Defense of Verizon in Fight with Neutral Tandem
CTIA is trying to head off an expected FCC order that Verizon Wireless must provide Neutral Tandem direct connection to its network (CD Oct 16 p4). Sprint Nextel also weighed in, warning against establishing broader policy through an order that resolves the long-standing Neutral Tandem-Verizon fight. Chairman Kevin Martin circulated an order, possibly for a vote at the Oct 31 agenda meeting, which led to the flurry of last minute meetings at the commission.
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“CTIA warned against a decision that could be perceived as overturning longstanding Commission precedent giving wireless carriers flexibility to choose the most efficient and economical method of direct or indirect interconnection,” CTIA said in an ex parte letter reporting on a call to an aide to Commissioner Deborah Tate. “In a competitive market, such as CMRS, market forces require carriers to select the most cost-effective interconnection arrangements.” CTIA also said the FCC also should avoid “resolving this dispute in a way that prejudges the outcome of the broader debate on intercarrier compensation reform.”
Sprint Nextel asked the commission to hand down an order that’s specific to just the Neutral Tandem-Verizon Wireless dispute. “The dispute should not… become the basis for any change in the fundamental structure of the existing interconnection obligations of CMRS providers or any other competitive carrier,” Sprint said.
Verizon Wireless filed 11 pages of arguments asking the FCC not to side with Neutral Tandem. Verizon said the company’s arguments that the availability of a redundant interconnection pathway is good for national security are overstated. “Neutral Tandem’s arguments are based on fundamental misstatements about the way that wireless networks are set up and organized,” the carrier said. “Neutral Tandem suggests that its presence adds a useful layer of diversity to the network. However, absent separate connecting facilities, additional switches like those employed by Neutral Tandem do little to promote network survivability.” Verizon said it already uses “a far more diverse set of network connections than Neutral Tandem has portrayed in its filings to the Commission.”