Whippany, NJ – June 16, 2004 – The National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) today filed its annual interstate access tariff revisions with the Federal Communications Commission. The filing reflects updated tariff and pool membership changes, as well as rate revisions to the End User Common Line Federal Universal Service charges and Traffic Sensitive rates. The new tariff is scheduled to become effective July 1, 2004 for the one-year period ending on June 30, 2005.

Traffic sensitive switched rates will decline on average by 7.1%, while Special Access rates will increase by 3.8% on average.  These changes are due to forecasted changes in costs and demand. In addition, for companies that contribute to the Federal Universal Service Fund, NECA’s FUSC factor increases from 8.7% to 8.9% in the third quarter of this year. This mirrors the recently announced increase in the FCC’s Universal Service Fund contribution to 8.9% in the third quarter.

Tariff and pool membership continues to be strong.  There are no changes in the Common Line pool. Four companies will enter the end user tariff and a net of one additional company will enter the Traffic Sensitive pool.
 
“NECA is very pleased that our tariff and pool membership is increasing,” said Bill Hegmann, interim President and Chairman of the Board of NECA. “This is a strong indication that members continue to have great confidence in NECA as they look to us to administer the access charge plan in a highly effective and efficient manner.”