Consumer groups, competitive carriers and their trade associations...

Consumer groups, competitive carriers and their trade associations met with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Tuesday to discuss the IP transition and transition proposal on the agenda for FCC’s Jan. 30 meeting, said an ex parte filing. AARP, the Broadband Coalition, Competitive Carriers Association, Comptel, EarthLink, Free Press, tw telecom and XO Communications were among those represented at the meeting. Officials with several of the groups declined to comment Friday beyond the statement made in the filing (http://bit.ly/1dYQgtK). “The participants generally expressed their strong support for the Commission’s recent focus on ‘Protecting Network Values,’ as the forthcoming open meeting item’s caption connotes,” the filing said. “We articulated the need for the Commission to focus on those values and -- as always -- on its statutory mandate. No matter the technology used, the Commission is charged with making the network work for everyone. To that end, the Commission must fulfill its duty to promote competition and interconnection among service providers. That is the best way to promote advanced technologies, robust networks and functioning markets.” “CCA was at the table because interconnection is an important issue for our members,” said Steve Berry, president of CCA. “Consumers expect seamless connectivity on their wireless devices, and we will continue work to ensure that competitive connectivity remains a fundamental principle throughout the transition to an all-IP world."