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To: Moose who wrote (307)	11/18/1999 11:44:00 AM
From: Skywatcher	Respond to of 786

OK!!!!! DONE DEAL!!!!FCC approves line sharing for data carriers WASHINGTON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - More consumers should be able to get high-speed Internet connections and at lower prices after the Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to require major local phone companies to share their lines with data carriers. The agency ordered that dominant carriers like SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC - news) and Bell Atlantic Corp. NYSE:BEL - news) allow upstart competitors to offer high-speed data service on a line while the established carrier continued to offer basic voice service over the same line. Under current rules, customers of data carriers like NorthPoint Communications Group Inc. (NasdaqNM:NPNT - news), Covad Communications Group Inc. (NasdaqNM:COVD - news) and Rhythms Net Connections Inc. (NasdaqNM:RTHM - news) usually must order a second phone line to get high-speed Internet access. So-called line sharing could dramatically reduce the monthly fees data carriers have to pay for those second lines. The dominant carriers already use line sharing when they offer high-speed Internet service. Both groups of carriers use a technology known as Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL, that offers high-speed data service over ordinary phone lines by transmitting in a range of frequencies above those used for vocal communications. CHRIS

To: Moose who wrote (307)	11/18/1999 3:02:00 PM
From: Skywatcher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 786

Net victory could cut DSL prices By John Borland Staff Writer, CNET News.com November 18, 1999, 10:40 a.m. PT Federal regulators voted today to approve a controversial rule that could slash prices for consumer high-speed Net access. The decision has the potential to open the floodgates of competition in the high-speed Internet market, previously dominated by the big local phone firms and cable companies. Companies like Covad Communications, NorthPoint Communications and Rhythms NetConnections have said they needed this decision to compete on price with the Bell companies in the consumer market. Federal Communications Commission officials today decided that Baby Bell companies must allow competitors to share the main telephone line into homes to offer high-speed digital subscriber line (DSL) service. Previously, firms like Covad and Rhythms had to lease a separate line to offer their own services, raising their total cost for service. The decision, which essentially levels the playing field between the companies, is geared to further the spread of consumer broadband services. "I think today was clearly a big win for consumers," said Jeff Blumenfeld, general counsel for Rhythms, which had previously focused solely on the business DSL market. "This makes a level playing field for us." rest of article: yahoo.cnet.com chris