Opinion ID: 612649
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: History of this matter

Text: State utility commissions, like the CPUC, are charged with determining whether particular wire centers within their jurisdictions exceed the impairment thresholds. In 2008, the CPUC made such a determination for Qwest's wire centers in Colorado. The CPUC interpreted 47 C.F.R. § 51.5 to include in the business line count only those UNE loops that served business customers and were connected to switches. This resulted in an impairment finding (and consequent unbundling obligations) with respect to high-capacity loops and transport at certain of Qwest's Colorado wire centers. Qwest disagreed with the CPUC's decision and filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief against the CPUC and its individual commissioners in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Cbeyond intervened as an additional defendant. The district court entered a judgment declaring that the CPUC order was correct in part and incorrect in part, and ruling that non-business UNE loops are part of the business line count but non-switched UNE loops are not. Qwest and the defendants both appealed. At our invitation, the FCC filed an amicus brief. The FCC's position is that both non-business and non-switched UNE loops are part of the business line count.