Forced Building Access.

Access to high-quality telecommunications services is essential for today's companies, whether large or small. Unfortunately, a recent ruling by Massachusetts officials (Boston Globe, July 25th) regulating the way in which telecom providers access privately owned office buildings is a step in the wrong direction.

The fact is, competitive telecom access to multi-resident buildings is thriving--in Massachusetts and nationwide--without government interference. Research shows that telecom companies are adding customers as fast as they can and achieving extraordinary market penetration for wiring buildings. The reason? Because the current system works extremely well, and because property owners are working hard to provide their residents with access to better, faster and cheaper telecom services--without intrusive, costly and unconstitutional government regulations.

Even so, regulators in Massachusetts have adopted a rule that, in effect, gives the government the right to dictate which telecom companies gain access to privately owned buildings. Ironically, James Connelly, Chairman of the Telecommunications and Energy Department, said the ruling was generic and not a response to any particular situation. Why, then, is a cumbersome rule being imposed to solve a nonexistent problem? Twenty-five other states and the District of Columbia have already considered--and rejected--forced access policies since the telecom industry was deregulated by Congress in 1996.

It's encouraging that the Department is staying enforcement of its rule for a year and allowing Massachusetts markets--both in real estate and in telecommunications--to continue operating as they do now: without regulatory interference. By then, state officials will be able to see for themselves how the free market is speeding delivery of new choices and more competition to tenants, and recognize that regulation will only slow it down.

Edward H. Linde President & CEO Boston Properties, Inc. Boston, MA