Western Telecommunications Alliance

On May 14th, NECA, WTA, NTCA, and OPASTCO filed comments in response to a request for partial waiver of the FCC’s call signaling rules by Level 3.  The rural associations stated they “do not oppose grant of a waiver to Level 3 that is limited to circumstances identified in its petition, provided Level 3 provides additional information regarding its use of pseudo-NANP numbers, a customer’s private numbering plan number, or a toll-free number to populate the CN, and provided that such waiver is subject to the same limitations and conditions as those the Associations recommended for prior waiver requests.”

On May 17th, NECA, WTA, NTCA and OPASTCO met with representatives from the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and Wireline Bureau to discuss the results of the Associations’ recently completed call completion survey.  A notice of ex parte was filed.

Today, NECA, WTA, NTCA and OPASTCO filed comments on two petitions requesting waiver of the FCC’s call signaling rules.  The Alaska Rural Companies requested a broad waiver of the rules, and, in their comments, the rural associations “do not oppose grant of the requested waiver for the four specified circumstances described in the petition, subject to certain conditions as described herein.”

In the second petition, Fairpoint Communications requests a waiver “with respect to certain1SS7 network elements and multifrequency signaling equipment.”  In their comments, the rural associations “do not oppose grant of a waiver to FairPoint that is limited to circumstances identified in its petition.”

Today, WTA, NECA, NTCA and OPASTCO filed comments in a proceeding regarding the petition for waiver by the Alaska Communications Systems Group of the FCC’s newly-adopted call signaling rules with respect to certain SS7 network elements, multi-frequency signaling equipment, and IP traffic exchanges.  The rural associations “do not oppose grant of a waiver to ACS that is limited to circumstances identified in similar petitions filed by AT&T, CenturyLink, and Hawaiian Telcom, provided that such waiver is subject to the same limitations and conditions as those the Associations recommended…”

Today, WTA, NECA, NTCA, OPASTCO, ITTA and ERTA filed reply comments noting that “the exception of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) and Sprint, all parties endorse the Commission’s proposal to extend the freeze2 as it continues to implement changes to its intercarrier compensation (ICC) and Universal Service Fund (USF).”

Today, WTA, NECA, NCTA and OPASTCO filed comments with the FCC stating that they “do not oppose grant of the requested waiver for the two specified circumstances described in the petition, subject to certain conditions as described herein.”  Hawaiian Telcom had requested a waiver of newly adopted call signaling rules in two specific instances.

Today, NECA, WTA, NTCA, OPASTCO, ITTA, and ERTA filed comments with the FCC supporting a two year extension of the current freeze of Part 36 category relationships and jurisdictional cost allocation factors.  The associations wrote that “This two-year period should provide adequate time for the Joint Board and interested parties to determine how existing separations rules should be conformed to the new ICC and USF/Connect America Fund (CAF) rules.”

On March 29th, representatives from WTA, Wheat State Telephone (KS) and Madison Telephone (KS) met with FCC officials from the Wireline Competition Bureau as well as staff from the offices of Commissioners McDowell and Clyburn.  A notice of ex parte was filed.

Today, WTA, NECA, NTCA and OPASCTO filed comments on a petition by GCI request for a limited waiver of the FCC’s call signaling rules.  The associations do not oppose granting “the requested waiver for the four specified circumstances described in the petition, subject to certain conditions as described herein. The associations oppose, however, GCI’s request for a broader waiver as unreasonably vague.”

Today, NECA, WTA, NTCA and OPASTCO filed reply comments on the intercarrier compensation portions of the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.