XO Tweaks Verizon Again

WASHINGTON -- The latest analysis by competitive telecom providers demonstrates that facilities-based market penetration in five major markets where Verizon seeks forbearance from key unbundling obligations falls significantly short of the level understood to have been required by the Federal Communications Commission to approve past requests.

New analysis filed at the FCC by Covad, NuVox Communications and XO Communications mirrors similar findings last week showing Time Warner Cable’s low level of facilities-based penetration in New York. Together, the results prove that Verizon’s petition for forbearance from Section 251(c)(3) of the Telecom Act does not meet the Commission’s threshold for approval in any of the six markets for which it has sought regulatory relief.

In their newest filing, the group of competitive telecom providers analyzed recent market share data submitted to the FCC by Comcast Cable Communications, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, and RCN Telecom Services.

The analysis confirms data previously submitted showing that market penetration achieved by cable-based providers in the residential and business markets in Boston, Providence, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Beach does not come close to the level of loop-based competition reported to exist in Omaha when the FCC partially approved Qwest’s forbearance bid in that market.

XO Communications Inc.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)