JOINT DISSENTING STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONERS MICHAEL J. COPPS AND JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN 
Re: Petition of Qwest Corporation for Forbearance from Enforcement of the Commission’s ARMIS and 
492A Reporting Requirements Pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 160(c), WC Docket No. 07-204; Petition of 
Verizon for Forbearance Under 47 U.S.C. § 160(c) From Enforcement of Certain of the 
Commission’s Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements, WC Docket No. 07-273
Today, the Commission takes another step in the dismantling of its financial reporting 
requirements for incumbent telecommunications providers.  As we detailed in our joint statement of 
earlier this year, more transparency and increased accountability, not less, are essential to any plan to put 
the country’s economy on sounder footing.1 The Commission has ample authority and the ability to 
engage in a careful and transparent analysis of our financial reporting requirements and to develop 
revisions where appropriate.  Regrettably, the Commission instead is moving towards the wholesale 
jettisoning of these safeguards.  Given the importance of the telecommunications sector to the broader 
economy, this Commission should be on heightened alert to avoid complacency and the similar mistakes 
made in the financial and housing markets.  This is not the time for the Commission to forbear from the 
few financial reporting requirements that remain on the books.  We therefore dissent from the 
Commission’s decision to do just that.  
  
1 See Joint Statement of Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein, Dissenting, Petition of AT&T 
Inc. For Forbearance Under 47 U.S.C. §160 From Enforcement of Certain of the Commission’s Cost Assignment 
Rules,Petition of BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. For Forbearance Under 47 U.S.C. §160 From Enforcement of 
Certain of the Commission’s Cost Assignment Rules, WC Docket Nos. 07-21, 05-342; Memorandum Opinion and 
Order (April 24, 2008).