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| Association
of Communications Enterprises |
1401 K
Street, N.W. Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20005 |
Phone:(202)
835-9898 Fax:(202) 835-9893 | |
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Contact: Celeste Powers Director of Public Affairs (202) 835-9898, ext.3015 cpowers@ascent.org | ||
| TRA Comments on BA’s 271
Approval |
| (Washington, D.C., December 22, 1999) - The
following can be attributed to Ernest B. Kelly III, president of the
Telecommunications Resellers Association (TRA), in reaction to
today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission giving
Bell Atlantic permission to offer long distance service in New York
State. "The Commission's decision allowing Bell Atlantic to offer long distance service in New York is an important element in the ongoing pro-competitive process that began nearly four years ago with passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The central purpose of that law was to transform the Regional Bell Operating Companies' (RBOC) 100-year monopoly in local phone service into a competitive market. By this action, the FCC is saying they believe Bell Atlantic has taken the steps necessary to give challengers the opportunity to fairly compete against them for local phone service in New York." "While we accept this decision, it in no way diminishes the fact that Bell Atlantic continues to have major market dominance throughout its territory, including New York, and that problems for competitors dealing with Bell Atlantic continue unabated, particularly in recent months as regards DSL deployment. If competition in local phone service is to flourish, and if New Yorkers are truly going to have a choice of local service providers, the Commission must continue to monitor events and enforce their regulations in New York diligently. Similarly, as other RBOCs line up to drive their 271 applications through the review process, they must be held to the exact same requirements that Bell Atlantic has been held to in New York. There can be no backsliding in the interpretation or implementation of the law." |
 Association of Communications Enterprises (ASCENT) - http://www.ascent.org/ - is the leading trade organization of entrepreneurial communications firms and their suppliers. ASCENT member companies provide a full range of communications services utilizing narrowband, broadband and wireless technologies. They share a common desire for new business opportunities, technological innovation, managerial excellence, and adherence to high ethical standards. ASCENT's mission is to open all communications markets to full and fair competition and to help member companies design and implement successful business plans. Formerly the Telecommunications Resellers Association (TRA), ASCENT was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. |