II. Background
SBC filed its application to initiate a generic proceeding to amend the existing interconnection agreements (ICAs) between SBC and various CLECs on July 28, 2005. In orders issued in 2003 and 2005, known, respectively as the Triennial Review Order1 (TRO) and the Triennial Review Remand Order2 (TRRO), the FCC eliminated or restricted the unbundling obligations for numerous UNEs.
SBC initiated this consolidated arbitration proceeding to resolve any disputed issues relating to the change of law in the TRO and TRRO orders. On January 23, 2006, in Decision 06-01-043, the Commission resolved a number of issues that did not require hearings.
The assigned Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) determined that hearings were necessary to address issues relating to Routine Network Modifications. Arbitration Hearings were held from November 28 to December 1, 2005. Opening briefs were filed on January 9, 2006, and Reply Briefs, on January 25, 2006. This decision resolves those issues relating to RNMs.
The issue of Batch Hot Cuts was set on a separate briefing schedule and will be addressed in a separate decision.
1 In the Matter of Review of the Section 251 Unbundling Obligations of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers, Report and Order and Order on Remand and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 18 FCC Rcd. 16,978, FCC 03-36 (2003).
2 In the Matter of Unbundled Access to Network Elements; Review of the Section 251 Unbundling Obligations of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers, Order on Remand, 20 FCC Rcd 2533, FCC 04-290 (rel. Feb. 4, 2005) (TRRO).
