FCC Requests Comment On Whether Direct IP-To-IP Interconnection Is Available To Telecom Competitors

On July 15, 2011, the FCC issued a Public Notice requesting comment on a Petition filed by Time Warner Telecom Inc. ("TWTC") for a declaratory ruling that would entitle Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based providers, like TWTC, to interconnect with incumbent local cxchange carriers (ILECs) in Internet Protocol (IP) format, in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 251 of Telecommunications Act of 1996, which governs interconnection between carriers. Historically, VoIP-based providers have been required by the ILEC to convert their traffic to the traditional TDM format before exchanging that traffic with the ILEC.

Specifically, the Public Notice seeks comment on TWTC's request that the FCC declare that: