Federal Communications Commission FCC 08-87 
STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
Re: Promotion of Competitive Networks in Local Telecommunications Markets, First Report and Order 
and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, WT Docket No. 99-217, 15 FCC Rcd 22983 (2000); Parties 
Asked to Refresh Record Regarding Promotion of Competitive Networks in Local Telecommunications 
Markets, WT Docket No. 99-217, CC Docket No. 96-98, Public Notice, 22 FCC Rcd 5632 (2007).
In the Video Nonexclusivity Order issued on November 13, 2007, the Commission banned 
exclusivity clauses in the video market and, in so doing, also agreed to consider the issues raised in the 
2000 Competitive Networks Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.  
I am pleased that today we fulfill that commitment by extending to residential buildings the 
prohibition against exclusivity contracts for telecommunications services (a ban that was already in place 
for commercial buildings).  These market-opening competitive safeguards continue the policies and 
reasoning that the Commission recently adopted in the video context.  I think we all recognize that 
exclusivity contracts in perpetuity are not in keeping with our pro-competitive market-opening policies 
and should be banned.  In the interest of regulatory parity, it is essential that we seek to apply our rules 
consistently across all platforms in a timely manner.  By taking this action we advance the 1996 Act’s 
goals of enhancing choice for consumers no matter where they live.