Model Telecom Access Agreement Unveiled

WASHINGTON, DC-A new model licensing agreement covering the terms under which telecom providers can gain access to office buildings was unveiled Tuesday by the Real Access Alliance. An alliance spokesman said that with the recent shakeup in the telecommunications industry, it is even more important that landlords are able to provide access to a range of telecom providers.

The model licensing agreement came together after eight months of work and more than 1,000 comments from landlords, service providers and others. According to the alliance–a group of 11 trade associations pushing for unrestricted opportunities to negotiate with telecommunications providers–the agreement is designed to speed up the delivery of telecommunications services to office building tenants. Members of the Real Access Alliance have promised to speed negotiations with telecom providers that choose to use it, although use of the agreement is considered voluntary.

“Accelerating building use transactions for the benefit of customers has been the driving force behind this process from day one. It remains our top priority,” says Alliance spokesman Roger Platt, vice president and counsel for the Real Estate Roundtable. “Our efforts to advance tenant access to competitive telecom services without unwarranted government mandates will continue.”