STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
RE: Petition of AT&T Inc. for Forbearance Under 47 U.S.C. § 160(c) from Title II and Computer 
Inquiry Rules with Respect to Its Broadband Services, WC Docket No. 06-125; Petition of 
BellSouth Corporation for Forbearance Under Section 47 U.S.C. § 160(c) from Title II and 
Computer Inquiry Rules with Respect to Its Broadband Services, WC Docket No. 06-125
Memorandum Opinion and Order.  
In this decision we focus on the state of the enterprise broadband Internet access 
marketplace.  These services are high-speed, high-volume services that large business 
customers use primarily to transmit large amounts of data among multiple locations-
services that are vital for multi-national businesses to compete in this country and around 
the globe and keep America’s great economic engine humming.  
An integral part of the pro-competitive, de-regulatory national policy framework 
established by Congress in the 1996 Act is the section 10 forbearance provision.  As 
providers of voice, broadband, and video services increasingly compete in one another’s 
markets, the Commission has taken a number of important steps aimed at easing the 
regulatory requirements for broadband facilities and services on the path to competition.  
We now take another important step and further level the playing field and grant relief to 
certain providers of broadband services from certain legacy regulatory obligations.  In 
taking this step, we recognize the facilities-based competition that exists in the business 
broadband Internet access market.  I support moving away from regulation where the 
record shows that a competitive market exists, rendering those regulations unnecessary.   
While it can be beneficial to eliminate regulation when appropriate, this decision takes a 
carefully balanced approach, providing regulatory relief where appropriate, allowing 
these carriers to respond to marketplace demands efficiently and effectively, but ensuring 
that less intrusive or less costly regulation remains that protects consumer interests and 
competition.  Importantly, we preserve critical public policy and consumer protection 
obligations related to 911, emergency preparedness, law enforcement access, privacy 
requirements, and access for the disabled, and universal service.