NARUC considers resolution asking FCC to take action on calls that don't go through to rural areas

Just a few weeks after several rural telco groups asked the Federal Communications Commission to take action against service providers that do not complete calls to rural areas, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners is considering a resolution that asks the FCC to take action on the same issue.

Call termination issues include situations in which “the calling party hears ringing but the called party hears nothing, the called party’s phone rings but hears dead air when the call is answered, the calling party hears a fast busy signal, where there are unusually long call set-up times or there is the use of a call intercept message or the called party receives a display of incorrect caller ID information,” the NARUC draft resolution states. The draft resolution also notes that “call termination issues create negative public interest by adversely impacting state and interstate commerce, reducing state and federal tax revenues, degrading the quality of the PSTN and adding risks to public health and safety.” The draft resolution asks the FCC to re-affirm its decision that no carriers can block traffic and to “take all appropriate actions” to address call termination issues. It also directs NARUC’s general counsel to take appropriate action.