TELECOMNEXT: AT&T seeking broadband relief

LAS VEGAS--In the wake of the FCC's decision to remove broadband regulations from Verizon, AT&T will file a similar petition with the commission, Chairman and CEO Edward Whitacre said Tuesday.

Speaking with reporters after his TelecomNext keynote, Whitacre said his company will file a petition that is "pretty close" to what Verizon filed, and expects the same outcome.

The FCC didn't act on Verizon's petition for forbearance from rules that require the company to provide price reports to the FCC, and to negotiate fair and reasonable prices with customers. Under the legal statute, the inaction allowed the petition to be granted.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told reporters attending TelecomNext that the FCC will continue to be "supportive of rules that encourage investment in broadband networks," but wouldn't comment on AT&T's filing or its chances. He did say the commission "will address as quickly as we can, within the statutory time frame" any petition that comes up.

The two Democratic members of the FCC, Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps, criticized the decision. Copps said in a statement that giving Verizon everything it asked for, without acting directly on the request, goes too far.

"The commission flashes a green light for rate increases without any regulatory oversight," he said. "This will raise the cost of doing business in this country for businesses both large and small."