The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has released a list of “competitive” study areas served by rate-of-return carriers that receive fixed universal service support. The competitive designation is for purposes of regulating prices of lower speed (DS3 and below) TDM-based services pursuant to the competitive market test adopted in the FCC’s Rate-of-Return Business Data Services Order. In study areas deemed competitive, the lower capacity channel terminations offered by carriers that elect to move to the Order’s lighter touch, incentive regulatory framework will no longer be subject to ex ante (forecasted) pricing regulation as of the date of the carrier’s election. The list of competitive study areas is available on the FCC’s website.
