The Michigan Public Service Commission issued the fourth annual report on the operation and administration of the Michigan Intrastate Switched Toll Access Restructuring Mechanism (ARM). Section 310 of the Michigan Telecommunications Act (MTA), requires the PSC to submit an annual report describing the operation and administration of the ARM. The ARM is a 12-year transition fund through which eligible providers1 can recover a portion of the lost revenues associated with reduced intrastate access rates. (see below) The ARM is supported by monthly contributions from all providers of retail intrastate telecommunications services in Michigan, including mobile wireless voice providers. (VoIP service revenues are exempt from the ARM contribution calculation.) TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated 9/30/14 for further details on the ARM.
Section 310 of the MTA addresses intrastate switched toll access charges. Pur
suant to §310 providers other than eligible providers1 (i.e., CLECs) may not charge intrastate toll access service rates in excess of those rates in effect as of July 1, 2009. Providers were required to reduce the differential, if any, between intrastate and interstate switched toll access service rates in effect as of July 1, 2009, in no more than 5 steps of at least 20% each of the differential on the following dates: January 1, 2011; January 1, 2012; January 1, 2013; January 1, 2014; and January 1, 2015. Providers will need to file a new tariff or a brief explanation of how it is already meeting MTA rate reduction requirements. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated 8/17/10 for further details on the required reductions.
1 An eligible provider is an ILEC that as of January 1, 2009 had rates for intrastate switched toll access services higher than its rates for the same interstate switched toll access services, and that provides the services and functionalities identified by rules of the federal communications commission described at 47 CFR 54.101(a).
