[CRTC]
>>>Also didn't see anything about sharing/renting
Central Office space.>>>
John --
First of all, yes, the documents were extremely clear. Perhaps the Canadians have less confidence in their populace or perhaps they have less to hide. :)
At any rate, I saw a few comments that might hint at "sharing/renting C/O space"
In the "Fact Sheet: Local Competition":
"This Decision requires telephone companies to make certain components of their local networks available to competitors on an "unbundled" basis. This will allow competitors to mix their facilities with those of the telephone company in the most efficient way. To ensure that the telephone companies make the appropriate facilities available, the Commission has defined certain facilities as "essential", including central office codes, subscriber listsings and local loops in certain higher costs bands. To facilitate more rapid development of local competition, telephone companies have also been required to unbundle certain other facilities, including certain local loops in lower cost bands and local traffic transiting."
When they speak of "unbundling" doesn't this imply they're renting or sharing the central office, otherwise, how do they get access to the wires? (Draw me a picture in crayons using primary colors, Peter Lynch-style.:))
Bottom line: looks as though the Canadians want the same aggressive competitive environment Reed Hundt is hoping to achieve south of the border. Hope I'm not missing something. I noticed they'll keep price caps in effect as a way to monitor competition. "[They] create incentives for the telephone companies to become more efficient, subject only to the constraints of the regime. The regime requires telephone companies to first meet a productivity target set by the Commission, which benefits subscribers by keeping prices down, and then, by exceeding this productivity target, companies can reap benefits for their shareholders."
When the document, "In Consumers' Interest," discusses the "Local Competition Decision" and states that all consumers can now have a choice of which long distance company they want, as well as the right to choose their local service provider," were these choices not available before? Without these rights competition would be meaningless.
Now, we await the official FCC decree on Tuesday. How on earth will we survive that momentous day? With the GTE press conference, opening of InterOp, and the FCC announcements all coming out at once, I may need a triple by-pass. (Pun intended.)
Cheers!
Pat |
