Although it already has secured space on AOL Time Warner’s high-s...
Although it already has secured space on AOL Time Warner’s high-speed cable lines, EarthLink urged FCC to open all high-speed cable lines to independent ISPs. In its latest ex parte filings on Commission’s open access inquiry, EarthLink argued that…
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“Internet access is an information service that is provided to the public via a telecommunications service” and that facilities-based providers of information services must offer nondiscriminatory access to their lines. EarthLink stressed that “increasing consumer demand for broadband services makes prompt Commission action on cable open access essential if consumers are to have meaningful choices of broadband Internet access providers.” Pointing to its own 4th-quarter growth, it said broadband “has now reached the point of exponential growth that was experienced in the dial-up Internet access market approximately 5 years ago.” EarthLink also warned FCC that U.S. Supreme Court could usurp Commission’s authority if it didn’t promptly decide “proper regulatory classification of cable modem service.” At same time, Comcast in ex parte presentation to FCC complained of service advances by MSO and increased competition it faced from DBS providers and cable overbuilders. Arguing that “the market is working,” company urged Commission to avoid extending open access mandates imposed on AOL Time Warner to rest of cable industry. It said cable Internet access “will continue to develop appropriately without government intrusion.” Comcast also said it was likely to extend its multiple ISP technical trial to other ISPs beyond Juno Online Services. In separate ex parte filing, AT&T said its multiple ISP technical trial in Boulder, Colo., had grown to include more than 300 cable subscribers. AT&T said test, now in 4th month, had 4 active ISPs -- EarthLink, Excite@Home, Juno, WorldNet. Company said 3 other ISPs -- IC&C (formerly RMI.net), MSN and Winfire -- still were working through “the technical and operational details of providing service and hope to be online soon.”