NTIA Letter Urges FCC to Clarify Definitions in "Fiber-to-the-Home" Rules for Residential "Multi-Unit Premises"

The Honorable Michael K. Powell

Chairman

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th Street, S.W.

Washington, DC  20554

Re:       Review of the Section 251 Unbundling Obligations for Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers, CC Docket No. 01-338                                                                                         

Dear Chairman Powell:

On March 26, 2004, the President set out a bold new vision for broadband in America, establishing a national goal for universal and affordable access to broadband technologies by 2007.  The President said in his Innovation speech on Monday, “a proper role for the government is to clear regulatory hurdles so those who are going to make investments do so.”^[1]  As part of achieving the President’s broadband vision, I am writing to encourage the Commission to continue its efforts to create a pro-investment environment for broadband deployment. 

As the President stated, the Administration supported the Commission’s decision in the Triennial Review Order “to eliminate burdensome regulations on new broadband networks.”^[2] This portion of the order was affirmed by the D.C. Circuit Court, providing a powerful incentive for incumbents and new entrants alike to invest in new broadband infrastructure.   

The Commission now has before it petitions seeking to clarify the unbundling requirements applicable to fiber loops serving residential multiunit premises.  These petitions give the Commission an opportunity to eliminate lingering regulatory uncertainty and to continue its efforts to create a pro-investment environment for broadband.  Commission action on the petitions will increase the incentive for firms to invest in broadband facilities and services and help spur deployment of cutting edge broadband networks across the United States.  I therefore

urge the Commission to act on the petitions as expeditiously as possible in order to clarify the treatment of fiber-to-the-home to include fiber loops serving residential multiunit premises.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Michael D. Gallagher

                                                                                    Acting Assistant Secretary for

                                                                                      Communications and Information

cc:        The Honorable Kathleen Q. Abernathy

The Honorable Michael J. Copps

The Honorable Kevin J. Martin

The Honorable Jonathan S. Adelstein