TELECOM ASSOCIATIONS, EARTHLINK OFFER FCC COMPENSATION-REVAMP PROPOSALS

摘要

In overhauling intercarrier compensation, the FCC's first steps should be dealing with phantom traffic and affirming that switched access charges apply to VoIP traffic, the Independent Telephone & Telecommunications Alliance said. The group supported most of an interim proposal by telecom and technology industry companies and associations. The FCC should set a uniform terminating access rate, but the $0.0007 they proposed is lower than alliance members' typical cost to terminate traffic, it said. The group said it opposes putting VoIP traffic only under federal regulation, unless it's clarified that state and interstate access charges apply. The Western Telecommunications Alliance also said the FCC should start with phantom traffic, but only if the FCC "prefers a slower and more limited approach." The group said it wants the FCC to adopt the Missoula plan "as a broad-based industry proposal" for comprehensive reform." EarthLink also called for an intercarrier compensation revamp and proposed that for compensation purposes the FCC treat ISP-bound traffic like other traffic. The company said if the commission continues to isolate ISP-bound traffic, courts will reject that policy and "remove much of the political and policy incentive of many parties to achieve the uniform rate structure necessary for comprehensive reform."