In response to an inquiry from TMI, the FCC provide the following clarification regarding the customer thresholds for the Best Efforts Business Broadband Internet Service Provider questions contained in the Special Access Data Collection:
Question: With respect to the thresholds for Best Efforts Broadband Internet Access providers, does the 15,000 customer number refer to any type of customer (business or residential, broadband or non-broadband)? Explain how the 15,000 customer "or" 1,500 business broadband threshold applies.
FCC Response: Yes, the 15,000 customer number refers to any type of customer. The 1,500 business broadband threshold applies only to business broadband customers.
“Best Efforts Business Broadband Internet Access Service” is defined as follows:
Best Efforts Business Broadband Internet Access Service means a best efforts Internet access data service with a minimum advertised bandwidth connection of at least 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps) in both directions (upstream/downstream) that is marketed to enterprise customers (including small, medium, and large businesses). For purposes of this data collection, Best Efforts Business Broadband Internet Access Services do not include mobile wireless services, as that term is used in the 16th Annual Mobile Wireless Competition Report. (emphasis added)
If a Best Efforts Business Broadband Internet Access Service is marketed to enterprise customers and
TMI has developed various tools for companies to use to determine which portions of the Special Access Data Collection, if any, require their response and to assist in compiling and submitting responses.