Rural Associations Meet with FCC to Discuss QRA

On July 17, representatives from WTA, NTCA and NECA met with representatives from the Wireline Competition Bureau to discuss aspects of the quantile regression analysis. The associations stated that although the associations “continue to object to the use of QRA-based caps to limit support as a mechanical matter in light of flaws in the underlying model, lingering inaccuracies in model data, and broader concerns with respect to the incentives the caps create, the Rural Parties sought this latest in a series of meetings to continue their discussion with the Commission’s staff (subject to legal and appellate rights) regarding ways to examine, adjust, and refine the latest iteration of the model to improve its transparency, accuracy, predictability, and methodological integrity to the extent feasible.