Fwd: FCC Opens Proceeding on Open Access to Cable Systems

[Gene Hastings <hastings@info-ren.org>]

>Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2000 12:04:41 -0400
>Reply-To: Telecom Regulation & the Internet <CYBERTELECOM-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM>
>From: "Neil J. Lehto" <nlehto@AMERITECH.NET>
>Subject:  FCC Opens Proceeding on Open Access to Cable Systems
>Comments: To: TeleComLaw@ari.ari.net, alliance-access@alliancecm.org,
>          telecomreg@relay.doit.wisc.edu, munitelcom@civicnet.net
>To: CYBERTELECOM-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM
>
>NEWS
>
> Federal Communications Commission
>445 12th Street, S.W.
>Washington, D.C. 20554 News media information 202 / 418-0500
>Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830
>Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
>TTY: 202/418-2555
>
>
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>This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full
>text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515
>F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
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>
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>June 30, 2000   NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
>Michelle Russo at (202) 418-2358
>
>
>
> FCC CHAIRMAN TO LAUNCH PROCEEDING ON "CABLE ACCESS"
>
>Kennard Says Time is Right to Establish Record on Marketplace Developments
>
>
>
>
>Washington, DC - The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
>(FCC), William E. Kennard, announced today that he will propose that the FCC
>begin a formal proceeding on the issue of multiple Internet service
>providers gaining access to a cable company's platform.
>At a press briefing today, Chairman Kennard said that last week's decision
>from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the AT&T v. City of
>Portland case confirmed the FCC's role in establishing a national broadband
>policy for the country. He also said that the court clearly recognized the
>FCC's authority to forbear from regulation in this area.
>
>The FCC filed an amicus brief in the case that outlined the need for a
>national policy and also informed the court that the FCC has not determined
>whether high-speed Internet access over the cable plant is a
>"telecommunications" service. The Ninth Circuit Court determined that this
>type of service is both a "telecommunications" service and an "information"
>service. Kennard said that the categorization of "telecommunications"
>service does not necessarily mean that the service is subject to all of the
>common carrier regulations that apply to telephone companies. The purpose of
>the new proceeding will be to resolve these issues and bring certainty to
>the marketplace.
>
>Kennard said, "I have asked the FCC staff to develop a framework for
>addressing these issues. I continue to believe that there are powerful
>marketplace incentives that will move the cable platform to an open
>platform. Now is an appropriate time for the FCC to address the legal issues
>and to assess developments in the marketplace."
>
>Chairman Kennard also said, "I agree with the municipalities in the goal of
>an open cable platform. The question is how do we get there, through
>government intervention or market forces? My preference is market forces,
>but if the market doesn't work then we'll have to step in." -FCC- For more
>information and news about the FCC, please visit the web site at www.fcc.gov