New York is moving forward with its state USF talks...
New York is moving forward with its state USF talks in the form of litigation. The New York State Public Service Commission adopted its $17 million fund in August and tried to move forward with Phase III talks in September,…
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but ran into stumbling blocks in the weeks since (CD Oct 18 p11). Phase III issues include intrastate access charges and the New York Targeted Accessibility Fund, the PSC has said. Administrative Law Judge Howard Jack scheduled a Nov. 27 procedural conference for Phase III litigation, according to a Thursday ruling (http://xrl.us/bnxf3r). Several stakeholders had argued in a joint letter they could discuss and resolve pending issues but AT&T disagreed and demanded litigation in late October, the ruling said. There’s no consensus because AT&T and Sprint are “the two biggest proponents of access reform,” as the telco told Jack. “I believe the interests expressed by both the Signatories and AT&T can be accommodated,” he said. “It is not clear right now, in advance of the procedural conference, what specific issues and procedural steps Phase III litigation will entail, including the extent to which evidentiary hearings might be included.” All parties are free to negotiate toward a joint proposal on Phase III issues in the coming weeks, the ruling said.