Washington — The Computer & Communications Industry Association filed comments Tuesday on the FCC’s proposed new rules for the business broadband marketplace. These business data services (BDS), formerly known as “special access,” are used for transactions like credit card processing or ATM withdrawals, and by schools, hospitals, libraries and businesses that require dedicated transmission lines for large amounts of data.
As part of its role in protecting consumers, the FCC has been investigating this marketplace for years because in 97% of locations there are only one or two providers of BDS. The monopoly rents charged by the incumbent carriers are typically passed on to consumers.
CCIA has advocated for competition among telecommunications and Internet access providers for more than two decades. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“The FCC plan is pro-competition, pro-consumer and pro-innovation. We appreciate the thorough research and attention the FCC is giving to rules that would discourage large incumbents from ripping off other businesses and their customers. The FCC’s new rules would go a long way toward improving competition and helping all communities, especially those in rural and underserved areas, connect to the Internet for transactions.
“Businesses, hospitals and universities all rely on business data services and that will only grow as the use of mobile technology increases and carriers transition to 5G. The FCC should continue its oversight of this marketplace including business contracts and conditions so that its regulations adapt to the mobile marketplace and don’t become outdated.”