Since the enactment of the 1996 Federal Telecommunications Act, the attorneys at Field Law Group (“FLG”) have assisted competitive local telephone and telecommunications companies negotiate and arbitrate interconnection agreements (“ICAs”) with dominant incumbent carriers. For example:
http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/orders/comm/2000/u-12382.pdf
The Coast to Coast ICA became one of the most frequently adopted ICAs by CLECs operating in Ameritech territories.
http://efile.mpsc.state.mi.us/efile/viewcase.php?casenum=13931&submit.x=0&submit.y=0
The arbitration notably produced the first arbitrated comprehensive ICA for Verizon North’s Michigan territories. In addition, the ICA included several negotiated rates that were lower than rates Verizon otherwise offered in Michigan. For example, the rate for a DS1 circuit was approximately two-thirds lower than otherwise available.
Verizon appealed two issues it had lost before the MPSC to the U. S. District Court. In its appeal, Verizon North was represented by law firms from Detroit, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Field Law Group prevailed on both issues. The District Court’s Order can be viewed at:
https://ecf.miwd.uscourts.gov/doc1/0991861186
For years, the TelNet ICA remained the only arbitrated ICA in Michigan that CLECs providing service in Verizon North territory could adopt.
http://efile.mpsc.state.mi.us/efile/viewcase.php?casenum=14229&submit.x=0&submit.y=0
The MPSC is scheduled to issue its Order no later than February 16, 2012.