At least 8 groups, all representing small telcos, have petitioned...
At least 8 groups, all representing small telcos, have petitioned FCC for reconsideration of its Nov. 8 MAG order reforming access charges for smaller, rate-of-return telephone companies. Along with already reported National Telephone Co-op Assn. (CD Jan 3 p5),…
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petitions were filed by Alliance of Independent Rural Telephone Companies (AIRTC), CenturyTel, Competitive Universal Service Coalition, Plains Rural Independent Companies (PRIC), S.D. Telecom Assn. (SDTA), Western Alliance and 4 trade associations filing jointly -- NECA, National Rural Telecom Assn., OPASTCO and USTA. Most told FCC that changes ordered in MAG plan could hurt small telcos unless adjustments were made. SDTA asked for reconsideration of decision to eliminate carrier common line charge and replace it with new universal service support mechanism. PRIC, coalition of 21 rural ILECs in Neb. and Ia., said reconsideration “is required to properly align traffic-sensitive transport cost recovery with traffic- sensitive rate elements and charges.” In addition, change should be made “to avoid improperly recovering traffic- sensitive transport costs through the unrelated common line element,” PRIC said. AIRTC wanted FCC to rescind 3 modifications to access charge regime: (1) Recovering non- traffic-sensitive carrier common line costs from end-user charges or new form of universal service support. (2) Increasing caps for subscriber line charge to levels set for larger price-cap carriers. (3) Requiring rural rate-of- return LECs to recover universal service contributions only through end-user charges. If those changes aren’t made, “the MAG order will modify the Commission’s rules in a manner that departs from established law, public policy and Commission practice,” AIRTC said. AIRTC is ad hoc coalition of more than 200 rural ILECs.