CTIA, Verizon Object to Annual Reporting in California
The wireless industry raised alarm over reporting obligations proposed by the California Public Utilities Commission as it zooms in on telecom competition in the Golden State. The CPUC is considering a proposed decision that would order staff to review how…
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competitive barriers may limit new telecom network entrants and increase prices for some services above “efficiently competitive levels” (see 1610190013). In comments Monday, CTIA said the CPUC didn’t propose any "unnecessary, market-interfering regulation," but the group raised concerns about burdensome annual reporting, confidentiality and findings not supported in the record. "These proposed reporting obligations would be imposed in perpetuity without any acknowledgement of the judicial limitations placed on an agency’s authority to collect data, and with nebulous guidance on how the requested information will be utilized,” CTIA said. Instead of reporting annually, carriers should report "only when the Commission is set to update its analysis," it said. Block-level data and middle-mile facility data should be treated as "strictly confidential and protected from disclosure to third parties," it said. CTIA disagreed with the proposed decision’s statement that advertised wireless broadband speeds regularly exceed speeds in the field, claiming that the finding was based on a report that used "an inadequate and flawed testing model.” Among other alleged errors, the proposal incorrectly claims that carriers do "micro-targeting" of customers, including adjusting prices on a ZIP code basis, CTIA said. Verizon Wireless said annual reporting would be costly without benefit to consumers. The carrier opposed CPUC regulating IP interconnection agreements because it would be inconsistent with ongoing FCC efforts. "A Commission requirement that IP interconnection agreements for VoIP traffic be subject to public disclosure and dispute resolution at the Commission could have a chilling effect on the negotiation of IP interconnection agreements,” it said. "Consumers have many options for their communications services, over multiple networks, platforms, and applications, and this is the successful end result of the Commission’s policies to create a choice architecture based on open entry, innovation, and respect for varied consumer preferences."