Regulation of Business Data Services for Rate-of-Return Local Exchange Carriers; Business Data Services in an internet Protocol Environment; Special Access for Price Cap Local Exchange Carriers

Résumé

The Commission continues its efforts to modernize its rules governing the pricing of business data services (BDS) by allowing rate- of-return carriers to voluntarily elect to transition their BDS offerings out of rate-of-return regulation to a lighter-touch regulatory framework. This action is intended to promote competition and reduce costly regulatory burdens which no longer serve the public interest. Under this new framework, rate-of-return carriers would be incentivized to use the savings realized from the regulatory relief to improve existing networks and service.