WTA Recommends Flexible Permissive Detariffing of Telephone Access Charges

In comments filed today at the FCC, WTA urges the Commission to adopt a more flexible permissive detariffing of telephone access charges (TACs) rather than mandatory nationwide detariffing. WTA noted that “there are no significant current problems or complaints to be resolved, nor any material benefits to be gained, by detariffing TACs on a nationwide, mandatory basis.” In fact, mandatory detariffing and consolidation of Subscriber Line Charges and Access Recovery Charges into “basic local service rates will be subject to intrastate regulations and restrictions in at least one-third of the states” which could make things more complex for affected carriers.

WTA’s comments were in response to an FCC request for interested parties to update the record on issues raised by the FCC’s 2020 NPRM regarding various end-user charges associated with interstate access service offered by incumbent local exchange carriers.