FCC Rules Against Aureon's Revised Switched Transport Tariff, Orders Changes
The FCC ordered Aureon Network Services to further revise a rate for interstate switched transport, after finding its latest tariff didn't comply with rules. The switched transport rate of Aureon (Iowa Network Access Division) "cannot exceed the lower of: (i)…
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Aureon’s rate cap, (ii) its competitive LEC benchmark, or (iii) its cost-based rate," said a unanimous commission order Tuesday in docket 18-60. Aureon's tariffed rate "of $0.00576 is lower than its rate cap of $0.00819, but it is not lower than the applicable competitive LEC benchmark rate of $0.005634," said the order, finding Aureon’s "cost-based analysis was insufficient to justify its tariffed rate." The agency directed Aureon "to recalculate its interstate switched transport rate consistent with this Order" and "amend its [tariff] to reflect the lower of the competitive LEC benchmark rate or the corrected cost-based rate." AT&T and Sprint had challenged Aureon's proposed tariff revisions for complying with a November order that partially granted an AT&T complaint that Aureon improperly charged for "centralized equal access" on traffic heading to CLECs engaged in "access stimulation." An AT&T spokesperson said Tuesday, “While we are still reviewing the order and assessing its implications, we are pleased the FCC found the tariff rate unlawful on multiple grounds.” Aureon and Sprint representatives didn't comment.