The Federal Communications Commission has issued a new rule that changes several unbundling and resale requirements for telecommunications services. The rule eliminates certain obligations that require incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs) to offer unbundled access to their network elements, such as loop and transport facilities, where there is sufficient evidence of competition. The rule also ends the Avoided-Cost Resale requirements, which previously allowed competitive carriers to resell services at discounted rates, except for 911/E911 databases and operations support systems used for remaining obligations. The decision aims to encourage the transition to next-generation networks and services by removing outdated regulations where competition now exists.
Simple Explanation
The government made a new rule that lets big phone companies stop sharing their wires with other companies in places where lots of other phone or internet companies already compete. This change helps the big companies build better and faster networks but some small companies might find it harder to compete.