FCC will be ready to act in ‘late fall or early winter’ on rulema...

Maher said bureau was “moving well along” in putting together recommendations for Commission action on possible changes in current revenue-based contribution system. Bureau is looking at several proposals, 2 from industry groups suggesting move to connection-based approach, another from Federal-State Joint Board, Maher said. Bureau basically is “looking at differences between revenue-based and connection-based approaches,” he said. Maher said universal service was one of 2 first-priority proceedings under way at bureau, with other one being triennial review of unbundled network elements (UNEs). UNE review is topic of “intense ex parte sessions” with numerous groups and “we're looking to move very quickly” on issue, Maher said. Noting FCC Chmn. Powell’s recent comment that triennial review would be done in “few short months,” Maher said he couldn’t quantify timing any better than that. In response to reporter’s question, he said ILECs had raised issue of TELRIC pricing for UNE but “it would be very ambitious to do an overhaul of TELRIC pricing in this proceeding.” Maher said broadband access proceeding also remains “of highest importance” to agency although “public attention has not been as intense” lately. There are some common issues in broadband proceeding and triennial review and bureau is planning to bring both proceedings “to the Commission’s attention at about the same time frame,” Maher said. As bureau works on those issues, it’s also kept busy with pending Sec. 271 applications for 13 states, some of them combined into joint filings. Also considered important at bureau, although publicity has waned somewhat, are ILECs’ requests for tariff revisions to enable them to require security deposits, Maher said. He said “record is complete” on related Verizon request for rulemaking on “more generalized guidance on activities carriers can undertake to protect themselves against customer bankruptcies.” Pending proceeding on ILEC performance standards also is important, although agency is “trying to get the framework done first” through triennial review and broadband proceeding, he said. “Some good work has been provided by industry groups” on that issue, Maher said. Bureau chief told reporters his background in electrical engineering made him particularly interested in technology issues, especially those involving companies’ ability to innovate.