Regulation of Business Data Services for Rate-of-Return Local Exchange Carriers; Business Data Services in an internet Protocol Environment; Special Access for Price Cap Local Exchange Carriers
broadband · Federal Communications Commission · Published 2018-12-28 · Effective 2019-02-26 · 83 FR 67098
Document
Document number
2018-27528
Federal Register citation
83 FR 67098
CFR reference
47 CFR 1
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
broadband
Publication date
2018-12-28
Effective date
2019-02-26
FCC docket
WC Docket Nos. 17-144, 16-143, 05-25
Abstract
The Commission continues its efforts to modernize its rules governing the pricing of business data services (BDS) by allowing rate- of-return carriers to voluntarily elect to transition their BDS offerings out of rate-of-return regulation to a lighter-touch regulatory framework. This action is intended to promote competition and reduce costly regulatory burdens which no longer serve the public interest. Under this new framework, rate-of-return carriers would be incentivized to use the savings realized from the regulatory relief to improve existing networks and service.