Telcos Ask FCC to Complete Shift to Bill-and-Keep in IP Switch

telcos urged a more cautious approach. Comments were posted Thursday and Friday in docket 01-92 on a public notice seeking to refresh the record as a phaseout of many terminating charges continues under a 2011 overhaul. Sprint remains "concerned that [LECs] will be reluctant (or even refuse) to enter into far more efficient IP interconnection arrangements" as long as they can collect access charges. AT&T and Verizon also commented. Many ILECs exchange much voice traffic in "highly inefficient TDM-based arrangements," forcing cable companies to "spend millions of dollars every year converting IP-based voice traffic," said NCTA. It urged "incentives for completing the transition to an all IP-environment." T-Mobile said the agency should create such incentives, scrap rules slowing the IP transition, and convene a federal-state board to work with industry to consolidate interconnection points. "Correct this asymmetry by adopting rules permitting all tandem owners to be compensated equally for the use of their networks -- thereby establishing the end office as the proper default network edge for all providers," recommended CenturyLink. ITTA said carriers should be required to "make one or more network edge point(s) available such that carriers that interconnect at that point will pay nothing to the terminating carrier for terminating the traffic." NTCA and WTA sought action only after high-cost USF "budget shortfalls" are addressed. Any subsequent "reforms" should create certainty about "network 'edge' transport obligations, while protecting rural consumers," the RLEC groups said. "Facilitate IP-to-IP interconnection by providing stable and clear 'rules of the road' governing all underlying network technologies." HD Tandem sought an IP-based transition with "regulatory glide paths."