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Competitive Topics Forum
02/26/03
The meeting began at 10:30 a.m. The first item discussed was Topic EEL-1 (Conversion
of special access circuits to EELs). This topic deals with whether LECs are required
to convert special access circuits to EELs; if so, this would have to be done at
TELRIC pricing. BellSouth contends that they are not required to provide this service
and therefore, it can provide it but at market pricing levels. AT&T expressed
a concern that the change is treated as two separate orders even though the same
facility is used and, as a result, there may be a period of time out of service
for the customer. This issue is a topic in a Florida DeltaCom arbitration case and
is a topic in an Alabama case. This issue may also be impacted by the FCC's triennial
order. The issue is currently at impasse before the Forum.
A second aspect of Topic EEL-1 relates to concerns of excessive BellSouth auditing
of ALECs. PSC staff agreed to discuss this topic offline with XO.
Topic EEL-2 (Maintenance and Repair at Parity for EELS and Special Circuits). Bell
indicated that the level of service for EELs was like that for retail service but
that there was no benchmark for Special Access. However, a benchmark is being considered
in the Commission's 6 month performance reviews.
Regarding Topic B-1 (Delays for billing new contract rates), BellSouth indicated
that is was still working on the contract with the vendor that will be doing the
work.
On Topic PO-1 (End User Migration Process), David Christian with Verizon gave an
update of the working group's progress and indicated they would meet again on March
5. David handed out a current working draft of the rule.
Stan Greer with BellSouth provided an update on Topic O-4 (Mechanization of Ordering
for New Products). He indicated that for the UNE-T1 product some orders would fall
out of the mechanical process because of an issue relating to the jack. In the change
control process (CR 0813), a work-around solution is being developed. Bell will
bring back to a later meeting a proposed time frame for the C.P. change.
On Topic PO-2 (Pending Facilities), Stan Greer reviewed examples provided by DeltaCom.
He also indicated that he would check on examples of concern provided by XO. He
also indicated that he would check on when in the process BellSouth checks to see
if facilities are available; there may be a different answer for POTS service and
high capacity service. Cheryl Haynes with Nuvox asked if there was a definition
for "new construction" and BellSouth will also check on that.
Topic B-3 (EMI Records Show Local as Access) was initially raised by ITC. BellSouth
indicated that this issue had been raised (OBF 1764) before and the decision was
made that the problem was resulted in a small number of errors. Therefore, the decision
was made to not attempt an expensive change. This matter will be discussed further
at a future meeting when ITC is present.
On Topic R-1 (Extended Outages) and Topic R-2 (Escalation Procedures for After-Hours
Repairs), Wayne Tubaugh with BellSouth described BellSouth's process for provisioning
service. Stan Greer indicated that examples of repeat trouble reports provided by
KMC indicated no pattern of problems.
The next meeting of the Forum was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on March 19, 2003. Items
to be discussed include Topics EEL-1, EEL-2, B-1, PO-1, )-4, PO-2, B-3, R-1, R-2,
O-6, O-10, O-12, and P-3.