Not sure which rural LECs are exempt from competition. Some areas are effectively exempt from facilities-based (i.e. wireline) competition because it's unaffordable, without subsidy, to build a duplicate wireline infrastructure. There are also wireless carriers and WISPs the compete against RLECs, as well as satellite providers. I'm not aware of any exclusivity. Frank -----Original Message----- From: Naslund, Steve [mailto:SNaslund@medline.com] Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2014 9:00 PM To: Joe Greco Cc: nanog@nanog.org Subject: RE: Level 3 blames Internet slowdowns on Technica <snip> In a low density area you can never fund a build out which is where universal access charges came from and the reason that rural LECs are exempt from competition. In return for building a network that is not profitable easily they get exclusive access to sell services on it to give them a chance. Will your NRC be reasonable anywhere outside a major metro area? <snip> Steven Naslund Chicago IL