There’s strong link between development of local phone competitio...
There’s strong link between development of local phone competition and growth of U.S. economy, according to study written by ALTS Public Policy Research Dir. David Wolcott. Telecom Act and resulting local competition has “been quite successful in promoting the…
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deployment of advanced technologies and the expansion of the Internet,” said study titled Local Competition Policy and the New Economy. By contributing to growth of Internet, local competition has fueled nation’s economy, report said. However, it concluded that remaining barriers to local competition stymie that development and should be addressed by policymakers. Problems cited: (1) ILEC “failure to open their networks to competition.” (2) Restrictions to entry erected by building owners. (3) Actions by municipalities that “perpetuate the ILEC monopoly.” (4) Financial constraints on CLECs. Study suggested that Congress could take action in all 4 areas, for example imposing greater enforcement penalties on ILECs for failure to open their networks to competitors. To overcome “enormous financial constraints” faced by competitors, ALTS suggested Congress establish programs that would extend credit to help carriers deploy broadband services in rural areas -- www.alts.org or 202-969-2587.