The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has approved the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA) annual average schedule company high-cost loop support (HCLS) formula for 2018. NECA’s proposed 2018 formula projects approximately $6.45 million of support to carriers serving 99 average schedule study areas, which is a 7% increase over 2016 approved estimated payments. After NECA’s proposed HCLS formula was released for public comment, the Bureau found that NECA’s results and cost per loop (CPL) calculations appear to be accurate, complete, reasonable, and appropriate for the allocation of funds to average schedule companies. Accordingly, the Bureau approves the HCLS formula which will take effect on January 1, 2018.
