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Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 |
News media information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 |
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). |
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ISSUES INQUIRY FOR ITS THIRD REPORT ON ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY
Notice of Inquiry Seeks Data to Determine Rate of Broadband Deployment |
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Washington, D.C. - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiated
its third inquiry under section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 into whether
"advanced telecommunications capability" is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable
and timely fashion. Advanced telecommunications capability is the availability of high-speed,
switched, broadband telecommunications that enables users to originate and receive high-
quality voice, data, graphics, and video using any technology. In conjunction with today's inquiry, the Common Carrier Bureau released its most recent data, as of December 31, 2000, on subscribership to high-speed services (see attached). In order to make informed judgments about whether broadband deployment is reasonable and timely, the Notice of Inquiry issued today seeks objective, empirical data about the current state of broadband deployment. Specifically, the Commission seeks information regarding the extent to which broadband infrastructure is being deployed, and asks the following:
The Commission's previous section 706 reports were released in February 1999 and August 2000. In the last report, the Commission found that deployment of advanced telecommunications capability generally appeared reasonable and timely, although certain groups of consumers may be vulnerable to not receiving timely deployment of advanced telecommunications capability by market forces alone. As required by statute, the Commission will conclude this inquiry and issue its third Report to Congress within 180 days.
CC Docket No. 98-146 Action by the Commission August 9, 2001, by Notice of Inquiry (FCC 01-223). Chairman Powell and Commissioners Tristani, Abernathy, Copps, and Martin; with Commissioner Martin issuing a statement. Common Carrier Bureau Staff Contact: Ellen Blackler or Jack Zinman (202) 418-1500
on the Commission's web site www.fcc.gov.
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