NPRM Addresses CALLS Successor

Earlier this week, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to gather information regarding what kind of regulatory framework to apply to price-cap local exchange carriers' (LECs) interstate special access services after June 30, when the current CALLS (Coalition for Affordable Local and Long Distance Service) program expires. Specifically, the commission wants to know if it should continue with its current methodology regarding pricingflexibility rules for special access services or if the system needs a revamp. The CALLS program is being phased out after five years but will continue until this NPRM concludes and new rules are adopted.

The NPRM is, in part, an extension of the information-gathering process the commission began with AT&T's petition to reform ILEC rates for interstate special access services (RM-10593). "Because we are undertaking an examination of the appropriate post-CALLS special access regime, we deem it appropriate at this time also to seek comment on whether actual marketplace developments support the predictive judgments that underlie the special access pricing flexibility rules," the FCC says. "We also seek comment on whether we should adopt any interim requirements in the event that the Commission is unable to conclude this NPRM in time for any adopted rule changes to be implemented in the 2005 annual tariff filings." In fact, the FCC fully "anticipates" adopting an interim plan prior to July 1 "to ensure special access price cap rates remain just and reasonable" as it ponders the comments garnered via this NPRM.

No definite comment-cycle dates have been released as yet, only that initial comments are due 60 days after the NPRM paperwork is published in the Federal Register; reply comments are due 30 days after that.

[Copyright 2005 Access Intelligence, LLC. All rights reserved.]

COPYRIGHT 2005 Access Intelligence, LLC.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group