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 Federal  Communications  Commission  FCC  05-  95 
 STATEMENT  OF  CHAIRMAN  KEVIN  J.  MARTIN 


 Re:  In  the  Matter  of  Petition  of  SBC  Communications  Inc.  for  Forbearance  from  the  Application  of  Title  II  Common  Carrier  Regulation  to  IP  Platform  Services,  WC  Docket  No.  04-  29 


 Although,  by  today’s  action,  we  deny  SBC’s  forbearance  petition  on  procedural  grounds,  I  believe  that  the  issues  presented  by  this  petition  are  important  ones  that  require  the  Commission’s 
 attention.  In  the  instant  item,  the  Commission  concluded  that  we  were  unable  to  forbear  from  Title  II  requirements  that  “may  or  may  not”  apply  to  IP  platform  services.  As  I  have  said  on  many  occasions,  and 
 reiterate  now  as  Chairman,  investment  in  broadband  facilities,  such  as  the  IP  platforms  at  issue  here,  is  critical  to  providing  American  consumers  with  21st  century  advanced  services. 


 Accordingly,  in  order  to  accomplish  what  will  be  one  of  the  Commission’s  core  priorities  –  promoting  the  deployment  of  new  packetized  networks  throughout  the  nation  –  we  should  move  forward 
 to  address  the  creation  of  a  level-  playing  field  for  the  provision  of  advanced  services  by  similarly  situated  service  providers.  The  removal  of  legacy  regulations  should  spur  investment  and  the  deployment  of  new 
 packetized  networks  and  facilities  that  will  bring  new  broadband  services  to  all  Americans  throughout  the  nation. 


 I  look  forward  to  working  with  my  colleagues  in  the  upcoming  months  as  we  tackle  these  critical  issues  together. 
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