FCC puts DSL on same footing as cable service

["Fergie (Paul Ferguson)" <fergdawg () netzero net>]

Marguerite Reardon writes in the C|Net News
Broadband Blog:

[snip]

The Federal Communications Commission on Friday did away with old rules that require phone companies to share their 
infrastructure with Internet service providers. The new framework puts DSL service in line with cable modem services. 
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the FCC's interpretation of cable modem service as an "information" service, 
which means it isn't required to share its infrastructure with competitors. The new rules could hurt ISPs such as 
EarthLink, which will be forced to negotiate wholesale deals with existing DSL providers.

But DSL providers won't get off scott free. DSL providers will still be required to comply with wire tapping rules and 
disability requirements. And DSL providers will still contribute to the Universal Service Fund, at least for the next 
270 days until the FCC can figure out another way to keep USF funded.

[snip]

http://news.com.com/2061-10785_3-5820294.html

- ferg

--
"Fergie", a.k.a. Paul Ferguson
 Engineering Architecture for the Internet
 fergdawg () netzero net or fergdawg () sbcglobal net
 ferg's tech blog: http://fergdawg.blogspot.com/