USA - FCC wirelines order upheld

FCC's Wireline Broadband Order Upheld

A federal appeals court on Tuesday refused to overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s 2005 ruling to deregulate high-speed Internet access service that phone companies offer to consumers. The ruling, handed down by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit in Philadelphia, affirmed the regulatory status quo in which neither cable nor phone companies need to share their networks with companies that would also like to provide broadband access. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Time Warner Telecom, Inc. et al., v. FCC has denied a petition for review of the FCC's Wireline Broadband Order. FCC Chairman Martin responded saying, "I am pleased that the Court affirmed the FCC's decision to remove outdated, decades-old regulations from today's broadband services. By removing such regulations, the Commission encouraged broadband investment and fostered competition. As a result of the Commission's deregulatory policies, broadband adoption has increased and consumers have benefited in the form of lower prices and improved broadband service."

see also FCC statement