Federal Filings and Ex Parte

On March 11, 2019, NTCA filed reply comments with the FCC stating that the Commission adopted rules in an October 2018 Order that allow RLECs to elect incentive regulation of their BDS services in markets deemed competitive based on a market analysis conducted by the Commission for price cap carriers. NTCA noted the market analysis included only 78 markets that were served solely by RLECs. NTCA argued that the next logical step would be to use that same market analysis once again to allow RLECs to elect price cap regulation of their TDM transport services.

On March 8, 2019, NTCA filed comments that addressed outstanding issues for the Commission to tackle to finalize the foundation upon which the High-Cost USF program will operate going forward.

On March 7, 2019, Jill Canfield, NTCA Vice President of Legal, met with staff from Commissioner O'Reilly's office and Commissioner Starks' office to discuss Rural Call Completion. NTCA expressed concerns that the Draft Order lacks the specificity to ensure that all providers in a call path understand and comply with their obligations. NTCA would like to see more flexible methods for providers to manage call routing while helping to ensure calls would be completed to rural customers.

On March 6, 2019, Jill Canfield, NTCA Vice President of Legal, met with Rachel Bender from Chairman Pai's office and William Davenport from Commissioner Starks' office to discuss the 2.5GHz and 3.7GHz spectrum auctions and to reiterated NTCA's opposition to the Sprint-T-Mobile merger.

On February 28, 2019 NTCA met with the FCC to discuss Rural Call Completion issues and expressed concerns that the Draft Order lacks the specificity to ensure that all providers in a call path understand and comply with their obligations. NTCA would like to see more flexible methods for providers to manage call routing while helping to ensure that calls would be completed to rural customers.

On February 28, 2019, NTCA filed an Ex Parte Presentation to the Wireline Competition. NTCA urges focused efforts among industry and regulators to ensure rules are consisting with ISP operating practices.

On February 28, 2019 NTCA spoke with Justin Faulb, legal advisor in the Wireline Competition Bureau. NTCA expressed concern regarding the accuracy of Form 477 information that will be used to determine Universal Service Fund (USF) support.

On February 27, 2019, Jill Canfield, NTCA Vice President of Legal, met with staff from Commissioner O'Rielly and Commisioner Carr's office to discuss 2.5GHz and 3.7GHz spectrum auctions and to reiterate NTCA's opposition to the Sprint-T-Mobile merger.

On February 22, 2019, NTCA filed Opposition to Petition for Reconsideration on Accelerating Wireless and Wireline Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment.