Effect of FCC’s Latest UNE Proposal on Sonic DSL?

[anonymous_1031]

The FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking yesterday (WC Docket No. 19-308), in which it proposes to eliminate, in urban areas, the requirement for incumbent local exchange carriers such as AT&T to make UNE DS0 loops available to competitors. (See paragraphs 37–51, pages 17–22.)

Would this change, if adopted, end Sonic’s ability to offer DSL service?

[dane]

Yes, if enacted as currently proposed, it would likely mean the end of Fusion and FlexLink services in roughly three years.

While we are building fiber as rapidly as possible, it would be premature to eliminate the services that are still delivered over copper.

Additionally, we would have to replicate the intercity fiber backhaul that we lease today, resulting in significant additional costs. Higher costs for Sonic mean higher dues for members, so that’s not good either.

We will be engaging in advocacy around this issue in hopes of achieving a better outcome for our members.