An exclusive webinar organized by CCMI

The Emerging Role and Impact of Interconnection Agreements (ICAs) under FCC Reform

Thirteen months ago, the FCC's reform of the intercarrier compensation (ICC) system went into effect, but not quietly. One of the many contentious issues playing out now is the role of interconnection agreements (ICAs) and other commercial agreements among carriers. Contracts of one type or another are gradually replacing tariffs. Key issues impacted by the transition from tariff to contract and by the particular type of contract include IP-to-IP interconnection and various traffic exchange matters. So, what's happened in the last year and what will this mean for you?

Join attorney Jim Lister of Birch Horton Bittner and Cherot, P.C. and your peers for The Emerging Role and Impact of ICAs under FCC Reform and get an in-depth examination of how these issues might play out in the coming months and years. Jim walks you through the basics of ICAs, details their growing relevance and importance, and gives you the details to need to manage and maintain your network throughout the decade.

Consider the following:

• Several FCC proceedings have asked for industry comment on the role of tariffs going forward ... and the possibility that ICAs could replace some – perhaps all – tariffs.

• With access charges now classified as "access reciprocal compensation," carriers have the right (option?) to demand ICAs in lieu of access tariffs.

• Bill & keep eliminates financial issues ... but a host of other issues, like traffic exchange, demand documented agreement between carriers (and ICAs are the perfect vehicle for this).

• As the TDM network sunsets, IP-to-IP interconnection, and the associated rules, must be clearly defined.

• More and more, the FCC requires larger, more powerful carriers to enter into non-filed commercial agreements on everything from wireless data roaming to net neutrality. You must understand their role and how they are regulated.

What types of issues will be governed by ICAs; which are public (but difficult to research) documents that qualified carriers can "opt into" and so avoid a detailed contractual negotiation?

What types of issues will be subject to ordinary non-public commercial agreements; which cannot be readily "opted into," are even harder to research,  and are subject to much less regulatory oversight? 

These points just skim the surface. There are many others that are bound to emerge as ICC reforms take hold. Add in the fact that state regulatory commissions oversee ICAs. Despite the state commissions' best efforts to catalog these public domain documents, existing ICAs are poorly maintained and sometimes impossible to find at many state commissions.

You need to know the ins and outs of interconnection agreements now so you are ready for regulatory reforms that are coming in the months and years ahead.