Industry News

CPNI Annual Certification Due March 1

Comments on NECA's Proposed 2012 Average Schedule Modifications Due
Feb. 14 

The FCC is now accepting comments on NECA's proposed modification of average schedule formulas for interstate settlements beginning July 1 through June 30, 2013.  Comments are due Feb. 14.  Reply comments are due Feb. 24. 

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FCC News

national Broadband plan - Connect America Fund - USF/ICC Reform

OPASTCO, the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) and the Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) last week filed comments with the FCC in response to its further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) on reform of the Universal Service Fund (USF) and intercarrier compensation (ICC).  The associations expressed the following positions to the FCC:

1. The Connect America Fund (CAF) will not succeed unless, and until, all of rural America can receive reasonably comparable broadband service;
2. The FCC should defer application of any broadband-specific public interest obligations and other new mandates to rural local exchange carriers (RLECs) until a sufficient and predictable CAF has been adopted for these carriers; 
3. The FCC should leave the existing 11.25 percent authorized rate of return in place until revised rules governing the "re-prescription" process are adopted and USF and ICC reforms are fully implemented;
4. The FCC's proposed regression models will not achieve accurate or appropriate limits on capital investment and operating expenses; and
5. The FCC should proceed with substantial caution in determining whether or not an area is served by an "unsubsidized competitor" and before taking steps that undermine the availability and affordability of services in any given study area.
   (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/24/2012)

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OPASTCO, Rural Associations Ask FCC to Clarify New USF/ICC Rules      

OPASTCO, the Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance (ITTA), NECA, NTCA and WTA yesterday filed a petition for clarification with the FCC regarding recently adopted USF/ICC rules.  Specifically, the associations seek clarification of regulations relating to a new "local urban rate floor" that carriers must meet in order to obtain high-cost USF support, as it is not clear whether or not the rules permit carriers sufficient time to implement rate changes that would determine their eligibility for high-cost loop support (HCLS).  (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/24/2012)

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NARUC Files Petition for Review of the USF and ICC Reform Order

NARUC filed a Petition for Review of the USF and ICC Reform Order with the D.C. Circuit Court on January 20, 2012, requesting that portions of the Order be vacated, set aside, modified, and/or enjoined, and the matter remanded with directions to the FCC, and that the Court provide such other relief as is just and proper. The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated the separately-filed Petitions for Review into the Tenth Circuit on December 15, 2011. (Source: Washington Watch, 1/23/2012)

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Rural Associations Raise Concerns with USDA & White House Rural Council

NTCA, OPASTCO and WTA sent a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack this morning to express concerns about chilling uncertainty and the lack of a clear and sustainable “broadband vision” for small, rural carriers in the context of universal service and intercarrier compensation reforms.  The associations request the support of the White House Rural Council and administration officials in emphasizing the need to restore regulatory certainty and the need for a sufficient and predictable Connect America Fund that will enable the deployment of broadband by small, rural, community-based providers. (Source: NTCA Advocacy News, 1/12/2012)

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Rural Associations Meet With FCC to Discuss Ongoing Rural Call Completion Problems

OPASTCO, NTCA, WTA, and NECA met with Wireline Competition Bureau staff on January 25, 2012, to discuss the ongoing problem of calls not properly completing to consumers in rural areas. The Rural Associations also expressed frustration with the industry’s lack of appropriate and timely response, and noted while the rural trade groups continue to engage with originating carriers, IXCs, and other industry groups, Commission action is required. The Rural Associations stated it is past time to closely examine the practices and data of originating and interexchange carriers, as well as other entities such as least cost routers, that lie between an originating caller and the terminating network, to determine a resolution to this ongoing crisis. (Source: Washington Watch, 1/27/2012)

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Link Up for America Coalition and Global Connections Discuss Lifeline Reform With FCC

The Link Up for America Coalition and Global Connections met separately with Wireline Competition Bureau staff and Commissioner Clyburn on January 23, 2012, to state efforts to expand telephone subscription rates must focus on low-income communities. The Coalition also said more than 90 percent of Coalition member enrollment takes place in person, and in-person enrollment will be key to successful low-income broadband initiatives.  The Coalition also reiterated its support for national database solutions to prevent duplicate enrollment and verify eligibility. (Source: Washington Watch, 1/27/2012)

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