MPSC Telecom Report Shows Most Wireline Competition Ever

The Michigan Public Service Commission today issued its 11th annual report on the status of telecommunications competition in Michigan, showing more competition than ever.

The report, required by the amended Michigan Telecommunications Act, primarily examines the state of competition in the toll and local exchange service markets in Michigan. It also includes information specific to Michigan on mobile wireless, Voice over Internet Protocol and broadband.

"Telecommunications competition in Michigan continues to thrive, reaching the highest level ever recorded," noted MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu. "And a stable number of competitive providers have continued to invest in providing service over their own facilities – good news for Michigan's economy."

Highlights of the report include:

* The total number of wirelines in Michigan in 2010 decreased by 280,000 from 2009, reflecting a 7 percent decrease, a trend that began in 2002.
* Competitive providers held 28.5 percent of the total wireline market in 2010, the highest ever recorded.
* The total number of competitive lines increased 9 percent from 2009.
* The percent of competitive lines served by competitive providers' own facilities was to 32.3 percent in 2010.
* AT&T Michigan's share of the wireline market was 57.1 percent, a decrease of 3.7 percentage points from the previous year.

The entire report is available at www.michigan.gov/mpsc. The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.