Comment Deadline Means Tight Timeframe for USF, Intercarrier Comp Overhaul
A reply comments deadline could keep the FCC from voting to revamp intercarrier compensation and the Universal Service Fund at its December meeting, FCC spokesman Robert Kenny said Wednesday. Wednesday’s Federal Register said comments on three competing revamp plans are due Nov. 26, with replies due Dec. 3. The FCC usually circulates agenda items three weeks before a meeting. This reply deadline is two weeks and a day before the Dec. 18 meeting. The final circulation period could be less than two weeks, because it likely will take the Wireline Bureau two days to write an order once replies arrive, said an FCC official.
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“This is a problem,” Kenny said. “Certainly if [the FCC is] seeking additional comment, then we're not going to be able to get this done by the December time frame,” he said. “And the chairman has said all along that he prefers providing a three weeks notice … and would like to continue to follow that policy.”
To get a Dec. 18 vote on broad reform, commissioners must agree to waive the three-week rule. All FCC members other than Martin appear willing to consider a broader revamp and to waive the rule, but the chairman’s stance is unclear, agency officials said. Earlier this month, the four offices pledged to vote on a broad reform package at the December meeting. But Martin has to be on board as well, agency officials said.
Commissioners could vote, even with a shortened circulation period, said two FCC officials. At times FCC members have agreed to shorten the time so a matter can be added with less than three weeks’ notice, they said.
The FCC seeks comment on three overhaul plans: (1) Martin’s Oct. 14 revamp plan, (2) a proposal addressing USF only, and (3) a revised Martin plan incorporating changes sought by the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies and other groups (CD Nov 7 p2). The commission also seeks “particular comment on two questions,” it said. First, the agency asked if it should use for its cost method the existing TELRIC standard or the one described in Martin’s draft order. Second, it asked if the uniform terminating rate should be set as a single, statewide rate or a single rate per operating company.