FairPoint Seeks FCC Waiver to Pull Its Rural ILECs From NECA Common Line Pool
FairPoint Communications asked the FCC to waive a tariff rule so it can withdraw its rate-of-return ILECs from a National Exchange Carrier Association "common line" pool. FairPoint petitioned for a waiver from a provision in Section 69.3(e)(9) of commission rules…
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requiring a carrier intending to file its own carrier common line tariff to notify NECA by March 1 of the year in which the tariff is to become effective. FairPoint said its rate-of-return ILECs are regulated similarly to those rural carriers that will elect the FCC alternative Connect America Fund cost model in no longer receiving cost-based support for carrier common-line elements while remaining under rate-of-return rules for traffic-sensitive elements. FairPoint intends to withdraw its rate-of-return ILECs from the NECA common line pool simultaneously with the ILECs choosing the model option, and it needs a waiver if that withdrawal takes effect Jan. 1.