NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: May 31, 2007 Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253 Email: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov FCC BOOSTS COMPETITIVE TELEPHONE, VIDEO SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES IN MULTI-UNIT BUILDINGS Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission took action today to ensure that consumers in multi-unit buildings enjoy the benefits of increased competition in telephone and video service offerings. The Commission eliminated barriers to competitive entry in multi-unit buildings where a new entrant seeks to compete against an incumbent provider. New entrants to the video services and telephony markets should not be prevented from competing for consumers in multi-unit buildings based on costly and inefficient industry practices, the Commission said. Specifically, the Commission clarified that: · Competitive video services providers must not be forced to cut through sheet rock to connect their cable wiring to cable home wiring inside a unit. The Commission found that wiring behind sheet rock is “physically inaccessible" for the purposes of inside wiring rules, like brick, cinder block and similar materials used to construct ceilings and hallways. · Competing telephone companies must have access to the incumbent’s inside wire subloops in multi-unit premises at the terminal block in order to install service. The inside wire subloop typically is used by competing telephone companies to connect to individual consumers in multi-unit buildings. By removing economic and operational barriers to infrastructure investment in the communications market, the Commission’s action furthers the opportunity for consumers to enjoy the social and economic benefits of communications services competition. Action by the Commission, May 31, 2007, by Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling (FCC 07- 111). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell. Separate statements issued by Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, and McDowell. Docket Nos.: 95-184, 92-262, 01-338 Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact: Denise Coca at 202-418-0574, denise.coca@fcc.gov. Media Bureau Contact: Holly Saurer, 202-418-7283, holly.saurer@fcc.gov. -FCC- News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.