OPASTCO asks for quick steps before longer USF, ICC reform

The Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies has been visiting the Federal Communications Commission to discuss the needs of rural, rate of return (RoR)-regulated incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) to continue expanding broadband availability, speeds, and adoption in their service territories and to provide advanced services that remain reasonably comparable to those offered in urban areas and at reasonably comparable rates.

Prior to the adoption of comprehensive Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation (ICC) reform, OPASTCO said, the FCC should quickly adopt rules to: 1) broaden the base of USF contributors to include, at a minimum, all broadband Internet access providers, 2) mitigate phantom traffic, and 3) clarify that VoIP providers are subject to ICC when their traffic terminates on the public switched telephone network.