Phone companies will be able to offer customers bundled packages ...
Phone companies will be able to offer customers bundled packages of phone service and customer-premises equipment (CPE) under order FCC plans to release this week, staff member said at seminar Fri. sponsored by Progress & Freedom Foundation. FCC Common…
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Carrier Bureau Chief Dorothy Attwood said Commission voted to approve order last week but it hadn’t been released yet. Along with eliminating restriction on bundling CPE with service, order will clarify that common carriers with their own facilities can offer bundled packages of enhanced services, such as Internet access, and basic phone service. She said order would allow consumers to take advantage of innovative packages from more companies. Attwood also announced that agency had simplified filing requirements for Sec. 271 applications, reducing amount of paperwork. Among changes: (1) Process is outlined for filing multistate applications, such as SBC’s Kan.-Okla. application that recently was approved. More multistate applications are expected so FCC clarified requirements. (2) FCC will require fewer copies of applications. (3) Amount of information in each application will be reduced, resulting in about half the paperwork. For example, instead of filing complete public record of relevant state PUC proceeding, company can file just that portion of public record on which it is relying in its application. Spokesman said agency was expecting “upwards of 10 applications” for Sec. 271 approval this year and revised document would make process smoother.