Consumer Groups Seek FCC Action on Pending Petitions

The Utility Reform Network and Public Knowledge urged the FCC to act on pending petitions for reconsideration. In a meeting with Commissioner Anna Gomez and staff, the groups said their joint petition for declaratory ruling on Title II classification of interconnected VoIP services would "allow the commission to better address interconnection and call quality issues, ensure competition and affordable access, and establish firmer legal authority" (see 2203020052), according to an ex parte filing posted Friday in docket 19-308. They also backed Title II classification of short messaging service. In addition, the groups sought action on Sonic Telecom's 2021 petition for reconsideration of portions of the FCC's reverse unbundling network elements rules, saying "continued access by [competitive LECs] to dark fiber and DS0 loops is crucial for deploying fiber to the home" (see 2210170079).