Rural Groups 'Frustrated" Over Lack of Call Completion Data Collection
Several rural carriers associations are “frustrated” rural call completion record-keeping and reporting rules still aren’t in effect, more than a year after they were approved in an FCC order, representatives from NTCA, the National Exchange Carrier Association and WTA told…
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an aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel Thursday, said an ex parte filing posted Friday. “The record is replete with data and anecdotal information describing the extent of the problem and the serious public safety and financial ramifications of call failure,” the groups said. “Family members have been unable to contact loved ones, rural businesses have lost opportunities and customers, doctors have been unable to reach patients, hospitals have been unable to reach on-call emergency surgeons and there is a reported instance in which a 911 call center was unable to make emergency call backs.” The aide said Rosenworcel is committed to addressing the issue, said the filing, in docket 13-39. The agency said last month it’s awaiting the approval of a circulating order on the Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance and USTelecom's petition to reconsider parts of the order, before sending necessary paperwork to the Office of Management and Budget (see 1409260039). The commission is expected to release the order "very soon," which would clear the way for seeking OMB approval, an FCC spokesman said. Representing the groups, according to the filing, were Jill Canfield, NTCA vice president-legal and industry; Colin Sandy, NECA senior regulatory attorney; and Derrick Owens, WTA vice president-government affairs.