The FCC has released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) seeking comment on a proposal that would extend for six years the jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors (collectively, separations rules) freeze for rate-of-return incumbent local exchange carriers. Extending the current freeze would enable the Commission to continue to work with the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations to determine next steps in amending the separations rules in light of technological and regulatory changes since the rules were initially adopted. Comments are due 30 days after the FNPRM is published in the Federal Register, which has yet to occur, and reply comments are due 45 days after that date of publication.
In an accompanying Order, the Commission has renewed the existing outstanding referrals to the Joint Board that include comprehensive and interim reform measures to the separations process.
