Sprint Has Two Different Messages on Special Access Regulation, IIA Says
Sprint has different messages for regulators and for Wall Street on special access regulation, the Internet Innovation Alliance said in a report posted Wednesday. “Sprint tells Washington regulators it needs regulated access to business data lines,” the group said, citing…
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various FCC filings. “Yet, Sprint simultaneously boasts to Wall Street of cost savings achieved by NOT relying on FCC-mandated business data circuits.” As one example, IIA cited a recent Sprint SEC filing. “As expected, our network modernization program has allowed us to realize financial benefit to the Company through reduced network maintenance and operating costs, capital efficiencies, reduced energy costs, lower roaming expenses and backhaul savings,” the filing said. Sprint has been a leading party seeking FCC action in curbing special access rates (see 1601270072). "There is nothing inconsistent in saying that Sprint is taking all actions possible to reduce its spend on backhaul circuits and stating that incumbents are charging too much for the services they provide," a Sprint spokesman said. "In fact, Sprint is taking the actions it is on backhaul precisely because of the high costs imposed by the incumbents."