Background
Special access lines are dedicated high-capacity connections used by businesses and institutions to transmit their voice and data traffic. Wireless providers use special access lines to funnel voice and data from cell towers to wired telephone and broadband networks. Small businesses, governmental branches, hospitals and medical offices, and even schools and libraries use special access for the first leg of communications with the home office. Branch banks and gas stations even use special access for ATMs and credit card readers. The FCC has the obligation to ensure that special access lines are provided at reasonable rates and on reasonable terms and conditions. (source: www.fcc.gov)
The FCC is evaluating whether its current special access regulations for the larger traditional phone companies should be updated to ensure that the regulations reflect the state of competition today. To conduct the necessary market analysis, the FCC has directed the collection of information on the full array of traditional special access services from telecommunications providers.
Result
