The FCC cannot blame the government shutdown for its shameful failure to act to ensure CLECs are able to obtain equitable Internet Protocol (IP) interconnections with ILECs. For years we have pleaded with the Commission to treat IP interconnections exactly like time-division multiplexed (TDM) interconnections and require ILECs to negotiate prices, terms and conditions based on the requirements of section 251 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.