The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB or Bureau) has approved the National Exchange Carrier Association’s (NECA) proposal for average schedule interstate settlement disbursements in regard to the provision of interstate access services. The Bureau sought comment on NECA’s proposal in February 2021, but no comments were filed. NECA’s adopted proposal will result in a 3.7 percent increase in settlements at constant demand, but NECA anticipates that the impact of the proposed changes will vary depending on the company’s size and demand trends. The Bureau determined that NECA’s proposal was reasonable and has determined that these rule changes will be effective from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
