Abernathy declines comment on SBC plan

CHICAGO--

FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy today declined to offer a position regarding what regulations, if any, should apply to the proposed fiber network buildout unveiled this morning by SBC Communications Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre.

During a speech delivered as part of a TIA-sponsored event, Abernathy reiterated her generally pro-investment approach to regulation. In particular, the commissioner said she believes fiber-to-the-curb deployments should be regulated like fiber-to-the-premises projects, which are not subject to any unbundling obligations.

“Whether the fiber goes all the way to the home or stops 30 feet in front of your house shouldn’t make any difference,” Abernathy said.

However, SBC’s proposal offers another scenario. While the carrier promises it would provide fiber to the home in conjunction with new construction, existing neighborhoods would be served with fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) technology that would serve 300 to 500 homes.

When asked her opinion about the appropriate regulatory treatment of FTTN deployments, Abernathy chose to pass.

“I’m not going to say a word,” Abernathy said. “I haven’t really thought about it yet … It gives us more work to do, clearly.”