|Federal Communications Commission
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Washington, D.C. 20554
|News media information 202 / 418-0500
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
FCC LAUNCHES PROCEEDING TO PROMOTE WIDESPREAD DEPLOYMENT OF HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES
Washington, D.C. - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
adopted a major rulemaking to promote greater deployment of broadband services. The
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) is poised to resolve outstanding issues regarding
the classification of telephone-based broadband Internet access services and the
regulatory implications of that classification. The additional clarity brought by the
resolution of these issues will promote greater investment in the nation's broadband
In the Notice adopted today, the FCC tentatively concluded the wireline broadband Internet access services - whether provided over a third party's facilities or self-provisioned facilities - are information services, with a telecommunications component, rather than telecommunications services. Information services include such services as voice mail and e-mail, which ride over telecommunications facilities.
Today's action follows four other related proceedings - the Cable Modem NOI, the National Performance Measures NPRM, the Incumbent LEC Broadband Notice and the Triennial UNE Review Notice. These proceedings, together with today's action, build the foundation for a comprehensive and consistent national broadband policy.
In addressing these issues raised in this Notice, the Commission is guided by the following principles and policy goals:
Additionally, this Notice seeks comment, without drawing any conclusions, on whether facilities-based broadband Internet access providers should be required to contribute to support universal service. In the Contribution Methodology Further Notice, also adopted today, the Commission asks the question of whether the contribution assessment methodology for universal service should be changed.
The Commission is currently considering parallel issues regarding the regulatory classification of cable modem service in the Cable Modem NOI. These issues will be resolved in that separate proceeding.
CC Docket 02-33
Action by the Commission February 14, 2002, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 02-42). Chairman Powell and Commissioner Abernathy, with Commissioner Copps dissenting in part and concurring in part, Commissioner Martin approving in part and dissenting in part, and Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy, Copps and Martin issuing separate statements.
Common Carrier Bureau Staff Contact: Jodie Donovan-May at 202-418-1580 or Diane Law Hsu at 202-418-7400
on the Commission's web site www.fcc.gov.