Telco Industry Hailing ITS Reporting Requirements NPRM
Telco interests are applauding FCC commissioners' unanimous approval Thursday of an NPRM to reduce reporting requirements of international telecom service providers. The new rule -- which would eliminate the annual traffic and revenue report and streamline the circuit capacity report…
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(see 1703020069) -- is "not just good policy, it is good for consumers," USTelecom said. It said ending "these arcane reporting requirements will enable providers to focus less on filling out unnecessary paperwork, and more on building, maintaining and upgrading America’s broadband networks." AT&T said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai "continues to deliver on his promise to eliminate unnecessary and burdensome regulatory requirements that provide little corresponding public interest benefits." The company said its own estimates have it spending more than 300 hours on information gathering and reporting for the reports. "On the infrequent occasion that this data is needed, it can be obtained far more efficiently through specific and targeted inquiries as opposed to mandatory annual reports," AT&T said. Pai and Commissioner Mike O'Rielly cited the NPRM as a return to the agency meeting its obligations under Section 11 of the Communications Act, which requires a biennial review of regulations, with O'Rielly adding he hoped to see the agency take further steps in cutting regulatory paperwork burdens. Comments on the NPRM will be due 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register, with replies due 15 days after that.