Some Object to FCC Sharing of Confidential Special Access Data With Outsiders
Scores of rural LECs and others objected to proposed FCC sharing of sensitive company data with outside parties under confidentiality safeguards as part of the agency's review of rules governing special access services in the wholesale and retail business market,…
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according to filings posted Friday and Monday in docket 05-25. The objections were filed by Brown County C-LEC, Jason Tole, JSI, Parker FiberNet, Service Electric Cable, Transworld Network, US Signal Co. and Vantage Point Solutions. JSI represents 126 RLECs, small cable companies and rural wireless carriers, including C-Spire and units of Knology; Vantage Point represents 12 RLECs or affiliated entities. Some appear to object to any sharing of their confidential and highly confidential information with outside parties, which could include competitors -- even subject to a protective order. US Signal said sharing "sensitive financial data, network configuration, and other proprietary information" with rivals in a highly competitive market "may disadvantage" the company. Other objectors cited the extreme sensitivity of the information, combined with the lack of details about outside parties seeking data access -- which were listed in an FCC public notice on who signed confidentiality acknowledgements -- despite previous assurances the commission would divulge such details. "Some of the parties do not identify who they represent or what the intended purpose for their requests for accessing the data is," Vantage Point said. "It's hard to determine if there are any legitimate purposes, if the requests are competitively motivated or the parties are just fishing for information." No objections were filed by major telcos or cable companies. AT&T, CenturyLink and Verizon have widespread special-access services that are the focus of CLECs, some wireless companies and business users seeking further FCC regulation. The Bells oppose such regulation on legal and policy grounds, including that CLEC and cable entry has arguably made the business market competitive.