SBC & FCC

The FCC must be tired of the RBOC legal staff, who have been working overtime filing petitions and tariff changes. Since the election, it seems like the BOCs can't file fast enough. ---- PETITIONS FOR FORBEARANCE OF THE VERIZON TELEPHONE COMPANIES, SBC COMMUNICATIONS, INC., QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC., BELLSOUTH TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. The FCC further spurs advanced fiber optic network deployment. ---- COMMENTS INVITED ON PETITION FOR FORBEARANCE FILED BY QWEST CORPORATION REGARDING QWEST'S DSL SERVICE. WC Docket No. 04-416 ----- SECTION 272 SUNSETS FOR SBC IN THE STATES OF ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI. ------ COMMENTS INVITED ON PETITION FOR FORBEARANCE FILED BY BELLSOUTH TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. REGARDING INCUMBENT LEC PROVISION OF BROADBAND. WC Docket No. 04-405 ----- An SBC plan to offer a new VoIP access tariff that might raise the cost of completing calls for VoIP roviders has triggered talks between FCC and SBC representatives. FCC officials wouldn't talk about the meetings but there was speculation the agency was seeking assurances from the company. SBC's proposed tariff, which the company said it planned to file no earlier than Fri., would offer VoIP providers a voluntary access method whose price would fall between those of traditional access charges and lower-cost reciprocal compensation. SBC's tariff could take effect 24 hours after it's filed, although the FCC might halt it for investigation if parties filed objections. The agency also might halt the tariff on its own. News of SBC's plan began to raise red flags for some VoIP providers, including members of the VON Coalition, this week. ---------