NARUC Urges Federal Action on North American Numbering Council, Universal Service
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) adopted two resolutions at its Summer Policy Summit in Boston this week, calling for enhanced federal-state collaboration on telecom policy, particularly in phone number management and universal service funding. NARUC’s telecom committee passed both Monday, and the full board of directors adopted them Wednesday.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
In one resolution, NARUC urged the FCC to establish a formal process for state utility commissions to work with the federal agency on telephone numbering issues. It comes as the FCC is set to let the North American Numbering Council (NANC) expire Sept. 8 (see 2506240074).
“With the end of the NANC, state commissions now need a replacement mechanism to communicate with the FCC and industry regarding problems and disputes related to numbering issues,” the resolution said.
NARUC noted the group's deep history with the NANC, having first petitioned the FCC in 1991 regarding the administration of the North American numbering plan and participating in NANC meetings since it was established in 1995. NARUC and state commissions have "consistently participated in and led the NANC and several of its working groups," the resolution said. It emphasized that state commissions “need more tools and resources to enforce both state and federal numbering rules in conjunction with the FCC.”
NARUC ultimately called on the FCC to “develop a formal mechanism, beyond filing a petition, comments, and ex partes in ongoing proceedings, to identify and act upon NARUC and state commission proposals on telephone numbering issues."
In a separate measure, NARUC announced its support for the revival of the congressional USF working group, which the House and Senate Communications subcommittees relaunched in June (see 2506120091). The USF "supports the development and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure, to the benefit of consumers and the telecommunications industry as a whole,” the resolution said.
NARUC highlighted the role of programs such as Lifeline and E-rate in supporting low-income residents, rural health care providers and schools, noting that “many states rely on [these programs] to support their residents.” The group also praised the USF’s broader economic impact, including support for rural broadband that can “facilitate the use of precision agriculture technology.”
The resolution urged Congress to “consider the recommendations of and seek additional input from the state members of the Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service,” affirming that states are vital in protecting the program’s integrity and expanding access.