Word is that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has freed telco DSL providers from the requirement to share their infrastructures with competitors. TMCnet has had confirmation from knowledgeable sources that it's a done deal, although as of this moment the FCC has not released a formal statement (at least to my knowledge). The commission's intent is to place DSL on the same regulatory footing as cable Internet service.
TMCnet's podcast from today included as a guest David Breckemeyer, former CTO of Earthlink, who commented on the issue. His feeling is that this ruling will not have a great effect on the capabilities of competitive providers such as Earthlink, since piggy-back DSL service is a negotiated business deal anyway, and providers will still be free to hammer out such deals as they have in the past.
TMCnet's regulatory reporter Ted Glanzer is less sanguine about the possibilities and will no doubt be commenting later today, as well as offering more in-depth reporting once the FCC releases an official statement on today's decision.
To follow coverage of the FCC DSL deregulation issue, please visit TMCnet throughout the rest of the day.
AB -- 8/5/05
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