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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 | ||
| ASCENT Says SWBT “Cookie Cutter”
Missouri 271 Bid Doesn’t Demonstrate Compliance |
| Washington, D.C., August 28, 2000 – The Association of
Communications Enterprises (ASCENT) today told Missouri regulators
that Southwestern Bell Telephone's (SWBT) extensive reliance on its
Texas operations to make a case for compliance with the “competitive
checklist” for interLATA market entry under section 271 of the 1996
Telecommunications Act in Missouri proves little about the company’s
actual checklist compliance in the state. Responding to SWBT’s June
28, 2000 motion to update the Missouri PSC’s 271 record and seek
approval of its Missouri 271 Interconnection Agreement (M2A), ASCENT
called SWBT’s strategy a “cookie cutter” approach intended to cut
corners in demonstrating actual compliance with the Act.
ASCENT stated that SWBT’s virtual wholesale reliance on its Texas 271 compliance record is a misguided attempt to avoid being subjected to the scrutiny of its actual compliance record in Missouri. The association stressed that the Act and FCC fully envision state- specific compliance reviews if incumbents are to be successful in their interLATA market entry bids. ASCENT argued that the SWBT’s M2A agreement was developed exclusively by SWBT with no input from SWBT’s wholesale customers. According to ASCENT, the M2A decidedly favors SWBT and gives the company unlimited freedom to challenge virtually every provision while competitors are explicitly prohibited from doing the same. ASCENT stressed that like SWBT’s standard Texas agreement, on which it is modeled, the M2A alone cannot support SWBT interLATA market entry in Missouri. “SWBT suggests that because its Missouri and Texas operations are similar, the Missouri Commission should rubber stamp SWBT’s Texas compliance record in Missouri,” said David Gusky, ASCENT Executive Vice President. “SWBT’s ‘cookie cutter’ approach to 271 does little to demonstrate that Missourians have access to meaningful competitive alternatives or that competitors are receiving non-discriminatory treatment in Missouri, as the 1996 Act envisioned.” ASCENT asked the Missouri Public Service Commission to rigorously evaluate SWBT’s in-state performance and operations support systems before considering SWBT’s 271 application. |
 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. |