The National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA) has filed its 2019 modification of the average schedule universal service high-cost loop support formula, which, if approved, will take effect January 1, 2019. According to NECA’s filing, annual payments to average schedule companies under the proposed formula will total approximately $7.01 million payable to 102 average schedule study areas in 2019, which is reflective of the cap on the overall fund sizes. The proposed payments represent an increase of $0.77 million (or about 12.3%) compared to current payments. Comments on NECA’s proposed modification are due by October 5, 2018 and reply comments by October 22, 2018.
