The FCC has launched a proceeding to review its Part 32 Uniform System of Accounts (USOA) rules and consider ways to minimize the compliance burden the rules place on carriers while still ensuring that it retains access to information it may need to fulfill its regulatory duties. The USOA is a historical financial accounting system applicable to regulated telephone companies which ensures they properly allocate costs to and among telecommunications services, facilities, and products, and enables regulators to assess cost allocations within a specified accounting period. A year ago, the FCC denied a request by USTelecom that the FCC forbear from enforcing the USOA for all price cap regulated carriers, but has now determined “in light of the Commission’s actions in areas of price cap regulation,” including universal service and intercarrier compensation reform, it may be appropriate to streamline the existing USOA rules. The FCC has stated that it “will complete this proceeding no later than the end of 2015.” Comments are due on or before 60 days after the date the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is published in the Federal Register, and reply comments are due 90 days after Federal Register publication.
For additional information, please contact Tony Veach.
