ONA, unbundling and competition in interstate access markets

Abstract

The Federal Communications Commission's Open Network Architecture (ONA) programme is initially intended to provide equal access to the local exchange network by protecting against local exchange company discrimination against competing enhanced service providers. The principle of ONA, which at its core involves unbundling basic services, can be extended to promote competition to the local exchange company in the provision of regulated basic services as well as unregulated enhanced services. This article evaluates the arguments for and against interstate basic services competition and provides a set of recommendations that will facilitate competition.