Current Issues Conference: Whither the Traditional Telephone Network?

This conference will explore the current status of the traditional incumbent local exchange carrier landline telephone network, and its prospects for the future, in light of unprecedented technological, regulatory and business change, both nationally and in New England. Incumbent retirements of traditional copper plant in favor of fiber-rich plant that is free of most 1996 Telecommunications Act unbundling obligations are occurring in many urban and suburban areas across New England, depriving competitive local exchange carriers of a competitive platform. In Maine, upon a showing of specified indicia of competition, an incumbent may be relieved of obligatory Provider of Last Resort obligations. At the same time, concerns about the quality of the traditional physical plant and the quality of service provided over the remaining plant abound, with all three Northern New England States having ongoing retail service quality obligations and with Massachusetts having concluded a wide-ranging similar service quality investigation within the past decade.

These changes are calling into question the continuing role of the incumbent network that has served as a backbone of competitive choice since the restructuring begun by the Telecommunications Act. Will the telephone network as we know it continue to exist? What changes are in store in the short and long term? Is there still a need for a primarily voice-based system and how are data services affected by copper retirements and deregulatory measures? Do the answers depend on the user’s geographic location, e.g., urban vs. rural? Are current laws and regulations adequate, necessary, or appropriate? What legal/regulatory changes are necessary or desirable? Has the 1996 Act’s vision of competition been achieved in whole or part, or was it a pipe dream?

A panel of academic, regulatory, and industry experts will address these issues and more.

Confirmed speakers include:

Trina Bragdon, General Counsel, Otelco; Sarah Davis, Senior Director Government Relations and Wholesale Strategies, Consolidated Communications; Mariette DiChristina, Dean, Boston University College of Communication; Sherry Lichtenberg, Principal on Telecommunications Research and Policy, National Regulatory Research Institute; Daniel Lyons, Professor, Boston College Law School; Anna-Maria Kovacs, Senior Visiting Policy Scholar, Georgetown University Center for Business & Public Policy; Clay Purvis, Director of Telecommunications, Vermont Public Service Department; Sana Sheikh, Senior Corporate Counsel, Granite Telecommunications; Paul Vasington, Director-Public Policy, Verizon

A reception will follow the program, generously sponsored by Locke Lord LLP and Verrill Dana LLP.

When 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Location Boston University Photonics Building, 8 St Marys Street, Boston, MA 02215