OTI Pushes FCC for Interconnection Conditions on AT&T/DirecTV

New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute (OTI) has reiterated to the Federal Communications Commission its request for interconnection conditions on the AT&T/DirecTV merger, arguing that M-Lab's recently released Internet Health Test network diagnostic data show AT&T as the worst performer in terms of "patterns of degradation" at interconnection points.

"AT&T has already demonstrated its ability to degrade broadband access during negotiations with transit providers and edge services; the acquisition of a major video distribution business would substantially increase AT&T’s incentive to engage in such conduct," it told FCC staffers. OTI wants the FCC to require AT&T to interconnect on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms and wants AT&T to voluntarily forego any interconnection fees. It also wants the FCC to require periodic disclosure of interconnection practices. The FCC has yet to restart the informal shot clock on the AT&T/DirecTV merger. It is widely believed to be focused on possible interconnection conditions, among others, and may want to get those ducks in a row before restarting the clock, which is on day 170 of a 180-day target.