Alaska Communications Opposes GCI Bid for FCC Reconsideration of Equal Access Relief
Alaska Communications opposed General Communications Inc.'s push for FCC reconsideration of equal access and dialing parity relief it gave incumbent telcos in rural Alaska in a broader decision on a USTelecom forbearance petition (see 1601280031). “The FCC correctly abolished its…
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outdated equal access and dialing parity rules, after recognizing that standalone long distance is out of step with modern consumer preferences," Alaska Communications, the state's largest ILEC, emailed us Friday. "Even in rural Alaska, today’s consumers often choose wireless or VOIP national calling plans over traditional local service with a separate pre-subscribed long distance carrier. The USTelecom petition was filed more than 15 months ago, and GCI chose not even to present its arguments to the Commission before the Commission ruled. GCI’s Petition for Reconsideration offers no new evidence, and we are confident that the FCC will uphold its grant of forbearance."