NECA: Broadband deregulation could slow rural deployments

The National Exchange Carrier Association told the Federal Communications Commission in a brief filed this week that if it eliminates the tariffing and pooling of digital subscriber line services as part of its effort to deregulate wireline broadband services, deployment to rural areas might not be possible because DSL prices could rise to "unaffordable levels." According to NECA President Bob Anderson, more than 750 rural telephone companies, most with fewer than 5000 lines, provide DSL services through the NECA tariff. "Participating in NECA's tariff pools provides the economic stability and security necessary to encourage small rural companies to deploy advanced services such as DSL," Anderson said in a statement. NECA administers the FCC's interstate access charge plan.