FCC denied Verizon confidential treatment of portions of its N.Y....
FCC denied Verizon confidential treatment of portions of its N.Y. Sec. 272 audit report, saying other parties needed that redacted information to comment on audit results, as they're permitted to do under Telecom Act. CompTel, one of organizations that…
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had objected to Verizon’s redacted report, said ruling “sets a good precedent for future audits.” CompTel Pres. Russell Frisby said SBC officials “should think about refiling their heavily redacted audit report before it meets the same fate.” Once Bells get permission to enter long distance market in each state, Sec. 272 of Telecom Act requires them to get independent audit that attests they aren’t showing preference to their long distance operations. FCC said Verizon sought confidential treatment for about 25% of its first audit report, for N.Y. state, when it submitted it in June. Commission said Sec. 272 specified that any party could submit comments on audit report. Allowing Bells “to withhold information… would prevent parties from exercising their statutory right to comment on the audit results,” agency said in order issued late Thurs.