[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 174 (Friday, September 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22193]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 9, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 36

[CC Docket No. 80-286; FCC 94-199]

 

Establishment of a Joint Board

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of inquiry.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Notice of 
Inquiry (Notice) inviting comment on the desirability of revising the 
assistance mechanisms contained in the jurisdictional separations rules 
applicable to the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Dial Equipment 
Minute (DEM) weighting. The Notice asks that interested parties comment 
on whether a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the current rules 
should be issued. The Notice also seeks comment on a variety of 
alternative assistance mechanisms and, in addition, requests that 
interested parties propose additional alternatives for possible 
inclusion in a subsequent notice of proposed rulemaking. The intended 
effect of adopting the Notice is to examine, in light of changes in the 
telecommunications industry and associated regulatory changes, the 
extent to which the existing USF and DEM weighting rules and potential 
alternatives promote universal service, competition, and efficient 
investment and operation, and to determine whether a notice of proposed 
rulemaking should be issued.

DATES: Comments must be filed on or before October 28, 1994, and reply 
comments must be filed on or before December 2, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deborah A. Dupont, Common Carrier Bureau, Accounting and Audits 
Division, (202) 418-0873.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Notice proposes to undertake an 
evaluation of the existing USF and DEM weighting assistance mechanisms, 
explaining that the past several years of experience with those rules 
should assist the Commission in evaluating the current rules and 
prospective alternatives. The Notice also requests comment regarding 
variations on two primary alternatives to the present assistance 
mechanisms.
    Assistance Based on Reported Costs. First, the Notice asks 
interested parties to consider and comment on modifications to the 
existing USF rules, which provide assistance to local exchange carriers 
(LECs) based upon their reported local loop costs. The Notice requests 
comment upon the definition of costs used to determine assistance, 
specifically the possibility of basing assistance upon the combination 
of local loop costs and switching costs (which are currently the basis 
for DEM weighting assistance). The Notice also raises the question of 
whether switching costs per subscriber vary significantly among LECs. 
The Notice asks interested parties to address the possibility of 
eliminating or reducing support for LECs serving large study areas or 
non-rural areas. Finally, the Notice seeks comment regarding several 
possible changes in the existing formula for USF assistance, including 
establishing a sliding scale of declining assistance, changing the 
percentage of assistance for above-average costs, and changing the 
threshold for high-cost assistance.
    Assistance Based on Proxy Factors. Second, the Notice asks 
interested parties to comment on the possibility of basing assistance 
to local service providers on the application of proxy factors rather 
than on reported costs, explaining that proxy factors could promote 
increased efficiency and cost control. The Notice describes several 
alternative proxy methods and, in addition, requests that commenters 
propose additional alternatives that could preserve universal service 
while promoting efficient operation and competition in the provision of 
telecommunications services.
    The proxy approaches described in the Notice include the following 
alternatives for use as proxy factors: The number of subscriber loops 
per exchange, a combination of study area size and population density, 
and a combination of a proxy factor for cost and a proxy factor for 
general need (such as the ratio of average income to the cost of living 
in the area served). The Notice also asks interested parties to 
evaluate the merit of using proxy factors to make an initial 
determination of the amount of high-cost assistance to be directed to 
each state jurisdiction, and then using reported costs to determine the 
amount of assistance provided to individual carriers. Under such a 
system, the Notice requests comment regarding possible administration 
of the assistance plan by state regulatory commissions, pursuant to 
requirements set by the Commission. Finally, the Notice requests 
comment upon the possibility of establishing a voucher or credit system 
for telecommunications users, who would be allowed to claim high-cost 
assistance credits on their local service bills from the carrier of 
their choice.
    Copies of the Notice can be obtained from International 
Transcription Services, Room 640--1990 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 
20036, telephone number: (202) 857-3800.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-22193 Filed 9-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M