Federal Communications Commission
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking to accelerate network modernization by proposing to reform regulations that have hindered the transition to all-internet Protocol (IP) networks. Building upon the Commission's longstanding efforts to reform the legacy intercarrier compensation (ICC) framework, the Commission proposes to move remaining ICC charges to a bill-and-keep framework and detariff them, and invites comment on this proposal. To enable carriers to recover costs from their end users, the Commission proposes to eliminate ex ante pricing regulation and tariffing of end-user charges, also referred to as Telephone Access Charges (TACs). Following the transition of ICC charges to bill-and-keep, the Commission seeks comment on phasing out Connect America Fund Intercarrier Compensation (CAF ICC) support. The NPRM also seeks comment on removing remaining regulatory obligations--including tariffing and outdated account information exchange requirements--for interstate and international long-distance services, given the longstanding competitiveness of these markets. In addition, the Commission seeks comment on the elimination of regulations that will no longer be necessary in a post-Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) environment and invites input on a transitional framework to ensure regulatory and market stability during the shift to an all-IP marketplace. Finally, the Commission encourages commenters to identify ways to promote technological modernization while enhancing long-term efficiency, competition, and service quality for consumers. In all these reforms, the Commission intends to proceed thoughtfully, mindful of the complex issues, transition timelines, and paramount connectivity goals.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Federal Communications Commission 47 CFR Parts 43, 51, 54, 61, 64, and 69 [WC Docket Nos. 25-311, 25-208; FCC 26-11; FR ID 335397] ( printed page 14408) AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking to accelerate network modernization by proposing to reform regulations that have hindered the transition to all-internet Protocol (IP) networks. Building upon the Commission's longstanding efforts to reform the legacy intercarrier compensation (ICC) framework, the Commission proposes to move remaining ICC charges to a bill-and-keep framework and detariff them, and invites comment on this proposal. To enable carriers to recover costs from their end users, the Commission proposes to eliminate ex ante pricing regulation and tariffing of end-user charges, also referred to as Telephone Access Charges (TACs). Following the transition of ICC charges to bill-and-keep, the Commission seeks comment on phasing out Connect America Fund Intercarrier Compensation (CAF ICC) support. The NPRM also seeks comment on removing remaining regulatory obligations—including tariffing and outdated account information exchange requirements—for interstate and international long-distance services, given the longstanding competitiveness of these markets. In addition, the Commission seeks comment on the elimination of regulations that will no longer be nec…
Citation: 91 FR 14408
