Ratepayer Advocate Seema M. Singh Statement On FCC Ruling on Network Unbundling of Incumbent Phone Carriers

 Ratepayer Advocate Seema M. Singh issued the following statement on today’s ruling by the Federal Communications Commission on new network unbundling rules—a move that will make it more difficult for Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) to enter the local residential telephone market.

 “We’re disappointed in the FCC’s decision because we believe it will lessen competition in the local residential telephone market, which will negatively impact consumers,” said Ratepayer Advocate Seema M. Singh.  “The decision will also lead to continuing litigation by all parties involved due to the importance of the issues decided.

 “We are greatly concerned about the elimination of local switching, especially in New Jersey , where our filed position clearly demonstrated that competitive impairment exists,” Ms. Singh said.  “The states need to have an active role in the regulation of UNE rates.”

 In this matter, the Ratepayer Advocate filed comments with the FCC and met with the FCC ex-parte, advocating the position that states need to continue to have an active role in regulating the Unbundled Network Elements or UNE rates, in order to spur meaningful local competition and provide reasonable rates for consumers. 

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 The Division of the Ratepayer Advocate is an independent state agency that represents the interests of utility consumers and serves as an active participant in every case where New Jersey utilities seek changes in their rates or services.  The Ratepayer Advocate also gives consumers a voice in setting long-range energy, water, and telecommunications policy that will affect the delivery of utility services well into the future.

Additional information on this and other matters can be found at the Division of Ratepayer Advocate’s website at http://www.rpa.state.nj.us

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