Common use of UNEs, and Declassification Clause in Contracts

UNEs, and Declassification. 1.2.1 As a result of the FCC’s Triennial Review Order, certain Unbundled Network Elements were removed from the FCC’s list of Section 251 Unbundled Network Elements (“Declassified”) because the FCC concluded that CLECs were unimpaired by the unavailability of these network elements as UNEs under Section 251 of the Act. In addition, the FCC determined that CLECs would have access to certain elements as Unbundled Network Elements under Section 251 only under certain circumstances, and further directed the state commissions to determine whether CLECs are impaired without access to local switching as a UNE under Section 251 in particular geographic market areas and impaired without access to certain loops and transport routes as UNEs under Section 251. The D.C. Circuit in USTA II vacated portions of the FCC’s decisions in the TRO, and vacated and remanded other portions of the TRO. At the time the parties are negotiating this Agreement, the FCC has issued permanent UNE rules under Section 251 in response to the D.C. Circuit’s vacatur and remand. The permanent UNE rules implement a transition process for certain network elements that no longer will be UNEs under Section 251 and provide that other network elements will not be UNEs under Section 251, either in total, or in certain locations. As a result, the Parties have determined it is appropriate to establish a process in this Agreement to address Declassified UNEs., to address the network elements that continue to be available to CLEC under Section 271 of the Act or under state law even if Declassified.

UNEs, and Declassification. 1.2.1 As a result of the FCC’s Triennial Review Order, certain Unbundled Network Elements were removed from the FCC’s list of Section 251 Unbundled Network Elements (“Declassified”) because the FCC concluded that CLECs were unimpaired by the unavailability of these network elements as UNEs under Section 251 of the Act. In addition, the FCC determined that CLECs would have access to certain elements as Unbundled Network Elements under Section 251 only under certain circumstances, and further directed the state commissions to determine whether CLECs are impaired without access to local switching as a UNE under Section 251 in particular geographic market areas and impaired without access to certain loops and transport routes as UNEs under Section 251. The D.C. Circuit in USTA II vacated portions of the FCC’s decisions in the TRO, and vacated and remanded other portions of the TRO. At the time the parties are negotiating this Agreement, the FCC has issued permanent UNE rules under Section 251 in response to the D.C. Circuit’s vacatur and remand. The permanent UNE rules implement a transition process for certain network elements that no longer will be UNEs under Section 251 and provide that other network elements will not be UNEs under Section 251, either in total, or in certain locations. As a result, the Parties have determined it is appropriate to establish a process in this Agreement to address Declassified UNEs., to address the network elements that continue to be available to CLEC under Section 271 of the Act or under state law even if Declassified.