Rep. Waxman Statement on Announcement of FCC Special Access Order

“Today’s order represents an important step towards reforming outdated FCC rules regarding dedicated, high capacity data services known as ‘special access.’

“I am pleased that the Commission -- after an unprecedented and extensive examination of the record -- decided to suspend temporarily the current rules.  It is undisputed that the 13-year-old rules suspended today are not working as intended and may actually harm consumers, competitors, and incumbents.  Chairman Genachowski, Commissioner Clyburn, and Commissioner Rosenworcel should be commended for focusing on the record and rejecting calls to allow this broken system to remain in place for no reason other than adherence to deregulatory policies.  By temporarily suspending new grants of pricing flexibility as it develops a new path for such flexibility in the future, the Commission demonstrates the sensible and reasoned decision making we expect of an expert agency.                

“I look forward to working closely with the Commission as it collects more data in the coming months and moves to modernize the special access market.”