FCC Wireline Bureau Chief Cites Busy Agenda, With Recent NPRMs and NOIs a 'Blueprint'

for nearer-term action comes from recent NPRMs and notices of inquiry, including wireline infrastructure items, a call authentication NOI, a Form 477 NPRM on broadband and voice data submissions, a Telecom Act Section 706 NOI on advanced telecom deployment, a payphone compensation auditing and reporting NPRM, and the high-profile "restoring internet freedom" (open internet) NPRM. Monteith also cited a draft NPRM proposing to update toll-free number assignments, on the Sept. 26 commissioners' meeting tentative agenda. Since Jan. 23, she said the bureau has issued 431 items, including 33 commission-level items -- "a big number." The bureau this year has opened 155 dockets -- bringing the total to 847 -- and received more than 23 million comments. "We have a fair amount on our plates," she said, noting the bureau now has 171 staffers: "We are stretched thin. Folks are doing double duty." She said there was a "reasonable prospect" for movement on USF contribution overhaul, though the chairman would decide timing. A federal-state joint board is examining possible USF contribution changes. Monteith and Associate bureau Chief Lisa Hone discussed two recent public notices seeking to refresh the record on intercarrier compensation. Officials had advocacy tips for attorneys. Monteith said the bureau recognizes that parties need to have meetings with the chairman's office but it appreciates a courtesy "heads-up." Hone suggested parties address -- before commissioner meetings -- implementation details of proposed actions in draft agenda items. Officials also stressed the need for detailed facts and proposals. "We get a lot of argument by anecdote" that's "not particularly helpful," said Deputy bureau Chief Madeleine Findley.