AT&T fights "One Touch Make Ready" Rules

Internet, voice and video provider, AT&T has asked the Federal Communications Commission to reconsider a new "One Touch Make Ready" (OTMR) rule that would limit the process to routine transfers on existing utility poles. OTMR rules aim to simplify installation of new Internet cables.

In a recent wfiling with the FCC, AT&T said that limiting who could move lines would reduce the chance of existing services getting interrupted during the OTMR process.

“Limiting OTMR to routine transfer would minimize service disruptions, which are inherent in complex make-ready work such as transfers of wireless equipment and cable splicing,” AT&T said in its filing.

Fresh off their FirstNet win, AT&T stressed that if there is any  service disruptions it might affect national and local public safety organizations like the fire and police departments as well as consumers.

Since AT&T has provided phones, video and Internet bundles for years, they say that companies that have more experience would be better at handling the changes and/or finding ways to avoid connectivity problems in a area.

“While pre-approved contractors can perform make-ready work, existing attachers are in the best position to reduce customer outages because they can best determine how complex make-ready work will adversely impact their service and how to minimize or eliminate that risk,” AT&T said.


As an Internet, voice and video provider, AT&T also points out that Google Fiber, which has been a leading advocate of One Touch Make Ready, agrees that any "make ready" actions need to be done with caution.

“Even Google Fiber, one of the staunchest OTMR advocates, recognizes that ‘existing attachers should have the first opportunity to perform their own make ready, since service outages could affect the businesses,’” AT&T said.

AT&T has been fighting One Touch Make Ready rules for years, probably because they see it as a way to slow down competitors like Google Fiber. For example, the sued Google and the city of Louisville over network access a few years ago. AT&T is one of the largest providers of Internet, phones and video and they want to keep it hat way.