Blog

FCC FNPRM Universal Service Contribution Methodology

There have been concerns in the industry regarding the increase of the Universal Service contribution factor over the past number of years.  As of second quarter 2012 this factor is 17.4%.  This is one of the reasons for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)  Universal Service Fund (USF)/ Intercarrier Compensation (ICC) Reform Order FCC 11-161. In [...]

FCC Order for Originating Intrastate VoIP

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted and released FCC Order FCC 12-47 which addresses originating intrastate Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) traffic. This Order was released April 25, 2012. Once it is filed in the Federal Register, it will become effective 45 days later. Within paragraph two of this Order it states, “Specifically, we [...]

Wireless Providers’ Requests for Bill-and-Keep

Many of you are receiving requests from wireless providers to renegotiate your wireless interconnection agreements (ICAs) to a bill-and-keep reciprocal compensation rate effective July 1, 2012. The wireless providers are most likely quoting change-of-law as the reason for the request. This was detailed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in their Order on Reconsideration document [...]

Becoming More Efficient and Effective Through AVL

Some of the more common industry questions heard around the office today are about becoming more efficient and effective. The challenge here—is really knowing how to do just that. While there are virtually limitless amount of creative ideas these days within the workplace, one solution which can actually make efficiency and effectiveness a reality is [...]

Breaking Down the FCC Order: FCC Delays CMRS Bill-And-Keep

This blog is an update to an earlier blog titled FCC Order Released. The FCC adopted an Order on Reconsideration on December 23, 2011.  In the FCC USF/ICC Reform Order, effective December 29, 2011, Section XV. C. titled LEC-CMRS Non-Access Traffic says for LEC-CMRS intraMTA traffic subject to reciprocal compensation, the FCC is adopting a [...]

Tapping Technology At the Electric Co-op

At CFC’s recent Independent Borrower’s Conference, a panel of three electric co-op managers talked about their organizations’ experience adopting and using new technology, from smart meters, to iPads to Facebook. The managers, from Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Ohio, were clear…technology adoption is in a fast and furious mode, unlike any time in the utility industry’s history. [...]

Breaking Down the FCC Order: VoIP-PSTN billing

This blog is an update to an earlier blog titled VoIP is Access Billable. In the FCC USF/ICC Reform Order that will be effective December 29, 2011 (assuming there are no requests for reconsideration and appeal), under Section XIV., titled Intercarrier Compensation for VoIP Traffic, paragraph 933 says, “Default intercarrier compensation rates for toll VoIP-PSTN [...]

Breaking Down the FCC Order: Recovery Mechanism

The FCC is adopting a transitional recovery mechanism for incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) to facilitate the gradual transition away from intercarrier compensation (ICC) revenues that will be reduced by the Order.  This recovery mechanism is not 100 percent revenue-neutral to today’s revenues. The rate-of-return incumbent LECs’ baseline for recovery will be based on: 2011 [...]

Breaking Down the FCC Order: ICC Rates

The FCC Commissioners unanimously approved the FCC USF/ICC Reform Order on October 27, 2011, and released the Order on November 18, 2011.  The Order was published in the Federal Register on November 29, 2011, making the effective date December 29, 2011, (assuming there are no requests for reconsideration and appeal). While December 29 is the [...]

Inside Telecom: FCC Order Released

On November 18, the FCC released its Universal Service Fund (USF) and Intercarrier Compensation (ICC) Reform Order that was approved at its October 27 meeting. The order is full of details, but still leaves some questions unanswered, creates new questions and several paragraphs can be open to interpretation. One section that may be a surprise [...]