# Access Charge Reform; Reform of Access Charges Imposed by Competitive Local Exchange Carriers
> **Federal Communications Commission** · Final rule. · Published 2001-05-21 · Effective 2001-06-20 · 66 FR 27892
## Document
- **Document number:** 01-12758
- **Category:** telecom-common-carrier
- **Federal Register citation:** 66 FR 27892
- **CFR reference:** 47 CFR 61
- **Publication date:** 2001-05-21
- **Effective date:** 2001-06-20
- **FCC docket:** CC Docket No. 96-262
## Abstract

In this document, we limit the application of our tariff rules to CLEC access services in order to prevent use of the regulatory process to impose excessive access charges on IXCs and their customers. Under the detariffing regime we adopt, CLEC access rates that are at or below the benchmark that we set will be presumed to be just and reasonable and CLECs may impose them by tariff. Above the benchmark, CLEC access services will be mandatorily detariffed, so CLECs must negotiate higher rates with the IXCs. We also adopt a rural exemption to our benchmark scheme, recognizing that a higher level of access charges is justified for certain CLECs serving truly rural areas. To avoid too great a disruption for competitive carriers, we implement the benchmark in a way that will cause CLEC rates to decrease over time until they reach the rate charged by the incumbent LEC. We also make clear that an IXC's refusal to serve the customers of a CLEC that tariffs access rates within our safe harbor, when the IXC serves ILEC end users in the same area, generally constitutes a violation of the duty of all common carriers to provide service upon reasonable request.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2001/05/21/01-12758/access-charge-reform-reform-of-access-charges-imposed-by-competitive-local-exchange-carriers)
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