Small and midsized incumbent carriers shouldn’t have to tell new ...

incumbents, on request, to read customers a randomized list of wireline long-distance providers. The rule “increases the operating costs of small and mid-sized ILECs, the voice carriers least able to afford additional burdens, particularly as they compete against voice providers that do not have the same regulatory obligations,” USTelecom said. To comply, “these ILECs must divert resources” from broadband deployment efforts, it said. The rule doesn’t apply to wireless, cable or VoIP carriers, and last year the FCC gave Qwest, Verizon and AT&T forbearance from the requirement in an order easing structural rules for the companies (CD Sept 4/07 p1), USTelecom said. In the 2007 order, the FCC called the rule outdated, designed before cable and wireless companies significantly competed with wireline carriers. But in 2009 a Democratic FCC could create obstacles for USTelecom’s waiver petition. Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein voted in favor of the 2007 order, but in statements they condemned removal of equal access scripting, calling it “a long-standing and useful tool for consumers seeking information about competitive options.” State consumer advocates probably will oppose the USTelecom petition, said David Bergmann, chairman of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. The group opposed the 2007 FCC decision and similar actions by state commissions, he said. Competitive carriers may not fight the request, a CLEC source said. Few offer stand-alone long-distance service anymore, removing equal access scripting as a big issue, the competitor source said.