Whippany, NJ - July 19, 2004 -The National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) is extremely pleased that the FCC granted its waiver petition subject to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning T-1 End User Common Line (EUCL) charges. NECA had requested that the FCC reduce the number of subscriber line charges (SLCs) from 24 to 5 on customer channelized T-1 circuits when the customer provides the terminating channelization equipment.

Today’s order levels the playing field and creates a pricing structure for T-1 services that is much fairer for rural telephone companies.

In the past, business customers had to pay for 24 SLCs for this service. However, NECA successfully argued that the cost to telephone companies for providing the service would be covered by 5 SLCs.

The FCC has already granted similar relief to Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) customers, But since ISDN is not available in many rural areas, rural business subscribers had no option other than this T-1 service at a much higher price.

Joining NECA in filing reply comments were the Eastern Rural Telecom Association, Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance, NTCA, OPASTCO, USTA, Western Alliance, TDS Telecom, Matanuska Telephone Association, North Pittsburgh Telephone Company, North State Communications and consultant John Staurulakis.