In light of the FCC’s rulemaking on the Universal Service...
In light of the FCC’s rulemaking on the Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation, Sprint Nextel filed for reconsideration of the Iowa Utility Board ruling that access charges should be applied to VoIP. The Board had concluded that cable telephony…
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VoIP traffic is jurisdictionally intrastate. Most of the proposals the FCC discusses for immediate application involve structures other than traditional tariffed intrastate access, Sprint said in a filing. Addressing VoIP specifically, the FCC made clear that the commission has recognized the need to move away from the existing intercarrier compensation system, Sprint said. To the extent the FCC is strongly suggesting compensation models far removed from traditional tariffed intrastate access, Sprint would be harmed if forced to pay the full traditional rates, including embedded subsidies, the carrier argued. The Board should either reopen this issue and stay its decision until the FCC has ruled on its choice of immediate compensation regimes for VoIP traffic, or should re-open the issue for further evidence on a reasonable rate that recognizes VoIP is distinct and which requires a rate more consistent with the FCC’s policy statements and Iowa laws, Sprint said. The company also urged the Board to stay the repayment obligations under its previous order until the Board has made a determination on reconsideration.