As part of its ongoing National Broadband Plan Staff Workshops, the FCC hosted a panel discussion today on International Lessons. NoChokePoints coalition member and international telecommunications leader, BT was represented by BT non-executive board member and president of Lathen Consulting, Deborah Lathen.

By Parul Desai, Vice President of the Media Access Project

Every day, millions of Americans log onto the Internet, for professional and personal uses, for social, political, and economic reasons.  With a simple click of a mouse, users have access to almost an infinite amount of information, as well as the ability to deliver their own content and information.

Underlying this seemingly simple transaction is a series of extensive arrangements and contracts among various companies to connect their networks, often referred to as “special access.”  Many broadband and Internet providers – whether it’s through a wireless or wireline connection – need to negotiate for “special access” carriage to deliver broadband and Internet services to their customers.  However, the special access market is a highly concentrated one, in which two major providers own 90% of the market.  In turn, these providers leverage their market dominance to extract high prices and onerous terms and conditions.  This lack of competition for special access services and market abuse by incumbent companies is of great concern.