The FCC should implement updates to the existing...

The FCC should implement updates to the existing high-cost rules “as soon as possible” to strike a balance between preserving and advancing universal service in areas served by rural rate-of-return regulated LECs, NTCA told aides to every commissioner except the chairman Wednesday, said an ex parte filing (http://bit.ly/1sNJzoX). “Such updates must ensure that predictable and sufficient support is available both for recovery of prior investments consistent with rules in place at the time those investments were made, and also for the additional future investments that are essential to ensure access by rural consumers to reasonably comparable services at reasonably comparable rates going forward.” The commission should proceed with “substantial caution” with respect to consideration of policies that might be based on the “purported presence of an ‘unsubsidized competitor,'” NTCA said.