January 10, 2014
On January 9 the FCC adopted an order extending the filing deadline for incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) and certain state public utility commissions to review data published in an online map depicting study area boundaries. The new deadline for ILECs to view the submitted boundaries and to modify their boundaries if necessary is now March 17. NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is encouraging members to review the data because the determination of study area boundaries is likely to have an impact on individual company distributions of Universal Service Fund support going forward.
The order comes after NTCA filed a joint petition along with the U.S. Telecom Association, Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance, Eastern Rural Telecom Association and WTA seeking a stay of the reconciliation requirement or a six-month extension of the original deadline of January 13.
Specifically, the FCC encourages ILECs to:
- Review the online map of the submitted study area boundaries.
- Resolve any overlaps and voids with neighboring ILECs based on discussions with one another and/or input from state entities.
- Resubmit and recertify their study area boundary data based on any boundary modifications agreed to by the relevant parties.
For more information about these and other federal policy developments, read NTCA’s weekly Washington Report. Questions may also be directed to NTCA Senior Vice President of Policy Michael Romano at [email protected].