September 15, 1999, Background: The FCC today adopted a list of
network elements that incumbent local exchange carriers must offer to
competitors on an unbundled basis, as required by the
Telecommunications Act of 1996. The action stems from a Jan. 25 U.S.
Supreme Court order requiring the FCC to provide more complete
justification for the list of unbundled network elements (UNEs) the
agency designated in its rules implementing the Act's local
competition provisions.
The following statement should be attributed to Jonathan B. Sallet,
MCI WorldCom Chief Policy Counsel:
"Today's FCC action affirms that competitors like MCI
WorldCom have the critical building blocks they need to reach all
segments of the marketplace with local voice and data services. Now
that the Commission has ruled, MCI WorldCom hopes that incumbent local
carriers will finally meet their Telecom Act obligation to provide
network components rather than pursue yet another court battle, whose
only effect would be to further delay competition.
MCI WorldCom is disappointed, however, that the FCC has chosen not
to require incumbent carriers to offer all the elements necessary for
the provision of advanced data services in all, and especially rural,
areas."
