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Michigan Public Service Commission Issues Order on Sprint Spectrum L.P. and AT&T Michigan Interconnection Agreements

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Michigan Public Service Commission issued an order on September 15, 2017, in response to a petition filed by Sprint Spectrum L.P. and AT&T Michigan regarding interconnection agreements. The Commission's decision comes after a lengthy process, which included a series of orders and appeals to the United States District Court. The dispute centered on the terms and conditions of interconnection, specifically the use of internet protocol (IP) interconnection, time division multiplexing (TDM) language, and entrance facilities rates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Michigan Public Service Commission issued an order on September 15, 2017, in response to a petition filed by Sprint Spectrum L.P. and AT&T Michigan regarding interconnection agreements.
  • The Commission's decision was based on a previous order issued on April 15, 2014, which was appealed to the United States District Court.
  • The District Court affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded the April 15 order on July 10, 2017, directing the Commission to provide the parties 30 days to jointly submit new, negotiated interconnection language consistent with the District Court's decision.
  • The District Court also reversed the Commission's decision limiting AT&T Michigan to charging Sprint 50% of its TELRIC rate for entrance facilities and determined that the Commission must permit AT&T to lease its property at the full TELRIC rate.
  • Sprint Spectrum L.P. and AT&T Michigan may jointly submit proposed interconnection agreement language consistent with the United States District Court's decision within 30 days of the date of this order.
  • If the parties are unable to negotiate conforming language within 30 days, they may file a motion to request additional time.

Statistics:

  • 47 USC 251 et seq. - the federal Telecommunications Act sections referenced in the Commission's order.
  • 13 pages of Commission meetings and orders, including the December 6, 2013, and April 15, 2014, orders.
  • 30 days provided to Sprint Spectrum L.P. and AT&T Michigan to jointly submit new, negotiated interconnection language consistent with the District Court's decision.
  • $0.50 - the 50% TELRIC rate charged by AT&T Michigan for entrance facilities, reversed by the District Court.
  • 100% - the full TELRIC rate allowed to be charged by AT&T Michigan for entrance facilities, as determined by the District Court.

Sources:

  • Michigan Public Service Commission. (2017, September 15). Case Nos. U-17349 & U-17569 - Sprint Spectrum L.P. and AT&T Michigan Joint Submission for Approval of Interconnection Agreement.
  • Mich. Bell Tel Co v Eubanks, _____ F Supp _____ (WD Mich, 2017) (Docket No. 1:14-cv-416).
  • Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 USC 251 et seq.

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