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Intercarrier Compensation 'Reform' Vote Scrapped
No early Christmas present for AT&T, Verizon....
As we've discussed, Kevin Martin has been trying to pass a "Intercarrier Compensation Reform" proposal written by AT&T and Verizon that would result in them paying less to rural carriers to connect to their networks, while raising the "subscriber line charge" on customer bills to $8.50. Martin had also talked about changing the USF and rural broadband subsidies, also at the behest of the baby bells, who saw the November 4 vote as their last chance to pass a plan they've been pushing for years. According to the Wall Street Journal, Martin is having a hard time getting the necessary support, so the vote has been pulled from tomorrow's meeting.
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rit56
join:2000-12-01
New York, NY

rit56

Member

HA!

change is in the air. with the new, progressive administration we can look forward to net neutrality becoming law... score one for the common man..
NewMariner
join:2005-06-24

NewMariner

Member

Re: HA!

said by rit56:

change is in the air. with the new, progressive administration we can look forward to net neutrality becoming law... score one for the common man..
Ha, you dont believe that crap do you? The only thing that is going to change is the name on the checks. The "change" candidate isnt going to change a thing. Just you wait.

I voted for Paris Hilton. She could run this country better!

DaneJasper
Sonic.Net
Premium Member
join:2001-08-20
Santa Rosa, CA

DaneJasper

Premium Member

Change is coming

Here's my thoughts on the topic of the regulatory environment, Internet access and the political change we can expect tomorrow.

»corp.sonic.net/ceo/2008/ ··· e-obama/

-Dane

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

2 edits

FFH5

Premium Member

Though delayed, reform is still needed

»online.wsj.com/article/S ··· news_wsj
The current phone-exchange payment system, which dates back to the breakup of the Bell system in 1984, is widely divergent, with some carriers charging a fraction of a penny per minute for outside calls to their customers and others charging hundreds of times that much for the same service.
The revolt by the 4 commissioners was more about Martin rushing them before they were ready to vote and not allowing some modifications. I think they wanted to modify it a little and Martin wanted to rush because his tenure at the FCC may be coming to an end.

»hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_ ··· 33A1.pdf
Four Commissioners provided the Chairman bi-partisan, constructive and substantive suggestions, and stated that notice and comment should be sought on the proposals, with an understanding that we would all be prepared to vote on December 18.

RARPSL
join:1999-12-08
Suffern, NY

RARPSL

Member

Re: Though delayed, reform is still needed

said by FFH5:

Four Commissioners provided the Chairman bi-partisan, constructive and substantive suggestions, and stated that notice and comment should be sought on the proposals, with an understanding that we would all be prepared to vote on December 18.
How many of those 4 are "Lame Ducks"? IOW: How many of them will still have their jobs after the new administration takes over (no matter which candidate wins Tuesday) and how many must be reappointed/reconfirmed by the new President. I know Martin's tenure is at risk but what about the others (ie: Do they have set terms or do they serve only at the will of the President?).

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Though delayed, reform is still needed

said by RARPSL:
said by FFH5:

Four Commissioners provided the Chairman bi-partisan, constructive and substantive suggestions, and stated that notice and comment should be sought on the proposals, with an understanding that we would all be prepared to vote on December 18.
How many of those 4 are "Lame Ducks"? IOW: How many of them will still have their jobs after the new administration takes over (no matter which candidate wins Tuesday) and how many must be reappointed/reconfirmed by the new President. I know Martin's tenure is at risk but what about the others (ie: Do they have set terms or do they serve only at the will of the President?).
They all have set terms, including Martin. He can be deposed as the Chairman, but not as a member of the FCC. I believe 2 of the 5 are on expired terms and are awaiting reconfirmation for a new term or until a replacement is named.

That being said, it is assumed that Martin would resign the FCC if he was replaced as chairman - which is likely.
Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Canonsburg, PA

1 edit

Sammer

Member

Re: Though delayed, reform is still needed

Two of the terms technically end at the end of June but is customary for those Commissioners to resign ASAP when there is a new President. Other commissioners often resign at the same time but it is not required. Commissioner Martin's term (as well as Commissioner Copps) doesn't end until 2011 but if he chooses to stay he will undoubtedly be replaced as Chairman. Commissioner Tate's term doesn't end until 2012.

BTW real reform would be making the archaic subscriber line charge history rather than raising it.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

said by FFH5:

The revolt by the 4 commissioners was more about Martin rushing them before they were ready to vote and not allowing some modifications. I think they wanted to modify it a little and Martin wanted to rush because his tenure at the FCC may be coming to an end.
And Martin released his whining press release attacking the other 4 commissioners. He must be really really pissed, because by attacking those whose vote he needs means he has admitted he has lost. »hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_ ··· 37A1.pdf
qworster
join:2001-11-25
Bryn Mawr, PA

1 edit

qworster

Member

Give the big guys more-and the small guys less...

That is SO FCC!

This corrupt outfit SO needs to be abolished and replaced with a non partisan agency run by engineers instead of lawyers!