SBA: Small Telecom Providers Await Definition of Competition in Broadband Plan

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has weighed in on the National Broadband Plan, advising the Federal Communications Commission to start the process of redefining size standards with the SBA. This review is needed, SBA says, mainly to reflect the financial and technological changes that have occurred in the market.

There are three North American Industry Classification System Codes defining telecommunications and related services. Additional classifications may be needed to account for small broadband and telecommunications providers, as they are currently "lumped" with one of the categories, and not explicitly accounted for.

Small telecommunications providers have seen their fortunes grow and disappear since the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Those still in existence, as well as new entrants, are anxiously waiting to see how competition will be defined by the Plan.