[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 4 (Friday, January 6, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2068-2069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-267]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 61 and 69

[CC Docket No. 91-213, FCC No. 94-325]


Transport Rate Structure and Pricing

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On December 22, 1994, the Commission released a Supplemental 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking inviting comments from interested parties 
on proposals to stimulate the resale and sharing of network facilities 
by common carriers through the use of ``split billing.'' Split billing 
is a billing arrangement that enables multiple customers to share or 
resell entrance facilities and direct-trunked transport facilities. 
Implementing procedures for common carriers to provide split billing 
will enable smaller customers to better obtain the benefits of, and 
contribute to, the Commission's goal of more efficient use of network 
facilities by allowing pricing to reflect costs, by permitting a rate 
structure which is conducive to competition, and by encouraging the 
development of full and fair competition.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 1, 1995; reply 
comments must be received on or before February 16, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20554; one copy shall also be filed with the 
Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Services, 
Inc. (ITS, Inc.), 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 
20037 (202) 857-3800.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Debra Sabourin, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 418-1530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. Summary of Transport Rate Structure and Pricing

    On December 22, 1994, the Commission released a Supplemental Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking in its Transport Rate Structure and Pricing 
proceeding, CC Docket No. 91-213, FCC No. 94-325. In this Order, the 
Commission tentatively concludes that it is in the public interest to 
require local exchange carriers (LECs) to offer split billing for their 
transport service, and that it is also in the public interest to 
require these carriers to include in their tariffs procedures for 
offering transport split billing. Split billing is a billing 
arrangement that enables multiple customers to share or resell entrance 
facilities and direct-trunked transport facilities.
    Proposed rule. Through LEC split billing and shared network 
arrangements, customers can reap the maximum benefit from the 
restructured transport rates. LEC split billing would help smaller 
interexchange carriers (IXCs) reduce their access costs by enabling 
them to resell the services of other IXCs or by utilizing network 
sharing arrangements with other carriers to transmit and terminate 
interstate calls. It could also solve the practical billing problems 
that have arisen regarding Feature Group A and B access services. 
Finally, split billing could permit more efficient deployment and use 
of transport facilities, a primary goal of the transport restructure. 
The Commission therefore tentatively concludes that split billing for 
transport service is in the public interest. It further tentatively 
concludes that it should require the LECs to include in their tariffs 
procedures for offering transport split billing. The Commission seeks 
comment on these conclusions.
    Implementation. As the record on this issue indicates, the parties 
strongly disagree on how best to implement split billing. Although the 
industry's Ordering and Billing Forum (OBF) has made progress, it has 
not yet been able to reach final closure on an access charge split 
billing prototype after 11 months of consideration. The Commission 
therefore seeks comment on how best to implement the proposed split 
billing requirement.
    First, the Commission seeks comment on a proposal offered by 
CompTel in the transport tariff review proceeding. CompTel urges the 
Commission to adopt the following affirmative steps to make resale and 
sharing feasible: (1) require the LECs to permit switched and special 
access facilities to be combined at the customer POP, LEC serving wire 
centers, or any other designated hubbing locations; (2) require the 
LECs to permit multiple carriers of record for DS3 and DS1 entrance and 
interoffice facilities; (3) require the LECs to offer ``split billing'' 
for multiplexing equipment located at a hub; and (4) require the LECs 
to permit the IXC to specify (i) the type and grade of switched access 
service as well as the code at the terminating hub, and (ii) the 
customer premises location associated with special access channels. The 
Commission seeks comment on whether it should adopt any of these 
proposed requirements.
    Second, the Commission seeks comment on whether a split billing 
charge levied on multiple customers of record using a single high-
capacity facility should be set to recover the cost of unused as well 
as used capacity. For example, should a LEC be allowed to charge an 
end-user customer for its use of a high-capacity facility at a rate 
computed by dividing total flat charges for the entrance and 
interoffice facilities by the number of end-users whose traffic is 
carried over that facility, with a pro rata allocation of the costs of 
unused capacity in that rate? Commenters should address the issue of 
which entity would be responsible for determining the allocation, the 
service design and capability and the circuit facility assignment under 
such an [[Page 2069]] arrangement. In addition, commenters should 
discuss whether this form of split billing should be available to 
resellers of access service, or should be limited to customers seeking 
to share dedicated facilities for their own use. Commenters should also 
address methods to ensure that Feature Group A and B users are not 
double-billed for their use of the same facilities.
    In addition, the Commission seeks comment on whether the type of 
split billing and shared network arrangements offered by NYNEX and 
Southwestern Bell adequately address customer needs for such 
arrangements. It also invites parties to comment on whether similar or 
modified arrangements should be offered by all LECs. Commenters should 
specifically address whether the ``host/secondary customer of record'' 
arrangement, under which a single IXC serves as the ``host'' customer 
of record, and is responsible for service arrangement and control, 
would satisfy the access customers' needs for sharing and resale of 
dedicated transport facilities. Commenters should also discuss how such 
offerings could be expanded or improved to meet customer needs. 
Commenters advocating that there be a single, host customer of record 
for the access service should specifically discuss how this split 
billing arrangement would apply to voice-grade access for Feature Group 
A and B services.
    Finally, the Commission seeks comment on any other form of split 
billing that commenters believe would achieve the goals it has 
identified. Of particular interest would be any split billing prototype 
under consideration by the industry's OBF. Commenters who do not 
support a requirement that the LECs include in their tariffs procedures 
for offering split billing and shared network configurations should 
discuss alternative ways to satisfy LEC provision of these 
arrangements.
    The full text of this Commission decision is available for 
inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Dockets 
Branch (Room 230), 1919 M Street NW., Washington, DC. The complete text 
of this decision may also be purchased from the Commission's copy 
contractor, ITS, Inc.

2. Procedural Matters

    Ex Parte. This is a non-restricted notice and comment rulemaking. 
Ex parte presentations are permitted, except during the Sunshine 
period, provided they are disclosed as provided in the Commission's 
rules. See generally, 47 CFR 1.1202, 1.1203, and 1.1206(a).
    Notice and Comment Provision. Notice is given of the proposed 
changes in the Commission's policies regarding split billing. Comment 
is invited on the proposals pursuant to Sections 1, 4 (i) and (j), 201-
205, 218, and 403 of the Communications Act as amended, 47 U.S.C. 
Secs. 151.1 54(i) and (j), 201-205, 218, and 403. To file formally in 
this proceeding, parties must file an original and five copies of all 
comments, reply comments, and supporting comments. Parties wanting each 
Commissioner to receive a personal copy of their comments must file an 
original plus nine copies. All comments and reply comments should be 
sent to the Office of the Secretary. In addition, parties should file 
two copies of any such pleadings with the Tariff Division, Common 
Carrier Bureau, Room 518, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20554. 
Comments and reply comments will be available for public inspection 
during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room 239, 
1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC.
    Regulatory Flexibility Act. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 
does not apply to this rulemaking proceeding because the proposed rule 
amendments, if promulgated, would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small business entities, as defined 
by Section 601(3) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Carriers providing 
interstate transport services directly subject to the proposed rule 
amendment do not qualify as small businesses since they are dominant in 
their field of operation. The Commission will, however, take 
appropriate steps to ensure that the special circumstances of the 
smaller local exchange carriers are carefully considered in resolving 
those issues. The Secretary shall send a copy of this Supplemental 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the certification, to the 
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in 
accordance with paragraph 603(a) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. 
Pub.L. No. 96-354, 94 Stat. 1164, 5 U.S.C. Section 601 et seq. (1981).

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-267 Filed 1-5-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M