COMMITIEEON
ENERGY AND COMMERCE
SUBCOMMllTEES:
ENERGY AND POWER
COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
CO-CHAIR:
COALITION FOR AUTISM
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS ON ROBOTICS
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MIKE DOYLE
14TH DISTRICT, PENNSYLVANIA
June 30, 2011
WASHINGTON OFFICE:
401 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
(202) 225-2135
DISTRICT OFFICES;
2637 EAST CARSON STREET
PITTSBURGH, PA 15203
(412) 390-1499
l' DUFF ROAD
PENN HillS. PA 15235
(412) 241-6055
627 LVSLE BOULEVARD
McKEESPORT. PA 15132
(412) 664-4049
Chairman Julius Genachowski
Federal Communications Commission
445 112
1h
Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
RE: Special Access Proceeding - MB Dockel No. 05-25
Dear Chairman Genachowski:
In light of the recent release of the Commission's 15
th
annual mobile wireless
competition report, J write to urge the Commission to take immediate, substantive steps to
reform the market for "special access" services. Given the rapid increase in consumer use of
high-bandwidth mobile wireless services, I am concerned that the Commission's failure to
address the special access market is leading to unequal and deteriorating competition among
providers in both the wireline and wireless markets.
Recent decades have seen substantial consolidation among wireline carriers. The special
access market is now dominated by three telephone companies, two of which have the highest
market shares for mobile wireless services as well. These incumbent carriers that hold such
dominant positions in the wireline and wireless markets have significant advantages over their
wireline competitors and independent wireless providers, due to the incumbents' ownership of
physical infrastructure. These incumbents have been permitted by lack of regulation to charge
high prices and impose anticompetitive terms and conditions for special access services, thereby
depressing competition, hindering innovation, and preventing economic development.
Special access is essential to large parts of the economy - a crucial ingredient for
adequate cell phone service, functioning ATMs, working credit card machines, and many other
forms of communication. As the Commission examines competition in the wireless market and
conducts its review ofthe proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA, special access is
especially relevant. An unregulated special access market without effective competitive
offerings places wireless providers without wireline infrastructure holdings at an especially
strong competitive disadvantage, allowing the vertically integrated incumbents to dominate the
wireless service and device marketplaces as well. Indeed, special access should be termed
"critical access."
Contact me through:
http://www.doyfe.house.gov PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
0840
The Commission initiated its rulemaking process on special access in 2005. Despite
having compiled an extensive record of data and public comments since that time, the agency's
promise to address competition in the special access market remains unfulfilled. Given this
delay, I respectfully request that you provide me with a detailed timeline to bring this proceeding
to a vote before the Commission.
Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you
before Congress recesses in August.