SBPP Applauds Consumer Groups for Supporting Tenant Rights to Choose Their Telecommunications Carriers; AARP and Consumers Union Write the FCC to Support Nondiscriminatory Access to MTEs.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2000

The Smart Buildings Policy Project (SBPP), a growing coalition of competitive carriers, consumer groups, software providers, and telecommunications equipment providers, today applauded AARP and Consumers Union for writing to the FCC in support of consumer access to competitive choice in multi-tenant environments (MTEs).

These two consumer groups join already voiced support from two other consumer organizations: The Competition Policy Institute and the National Association for State Utility Consumer Advocates.

"Consumer groups have put the ball in the FCC's court," said SBPP spokesman Tom Cohen. "The Commission clearly has the jurisdiction and authority to act and ensure tenants' rights to choose their telecommunications provider. The FCC should not delay."

The Smart Buildings Policy Project is a growing coalition of telecommunications carriers, equipment manufacturers, and organizations that support nondiscriminatory telecommunications carrier access to tenants in multi-tenant environments.

The SBPP presently includes Alcatel, the Association for Local Telecommunications Services, AT&T Corp, the Commercial Internet Exchange, the Competition Policy Institute, CompTel (Competitive Telecommunications Association), Digital Microwave Corporation, Focal Communications, The Harris Corporation, the Information Technology Association of America, the International Communications Association, Lucent Technologies, NEXTLINK Communications, Nokia Inc., Telecommunications Industry Association, P-Com Inc., Siemens, Teligent, Inc., Time Warner Telecom, Winstar Communications, Inc., Wireless Communications Association and WorldCom.