FCC RELEASES NEW DAC RATE -- $.494

The FCC today released its Report and Order in WC Docket  03-225, the dial around rate proceeding. 

The Commission's decision was unanimous and appears well reasoned.  The decision tracks closely to the positions, analysis and data provided in the record by APCC and the RBOC Coalition, with the Commission finding in virtually all circumstances the arguments made by the objecting carriers to be unpersuasive

The Report and Order specifies that the rate will be effective thirty days after publication in the Federal Register, which  we would expect to happen shortly thereby allowing the rate to become effective sometime in September 2004.

A short, initial summary memo prepared by Al Kramer, DSMO, is attached for your information.  The Report and Order is available on the FCC's web site, www.fcc.gov, and will be available on the APCC web site tomorrow morning (Friday, August 13, 2004).     

Willard R. Nichols

American Public Communications Council, Inc.

703-739-1322 x234