Competition Policy

• Intercarrier Compensation
• Universal Service
• Telephone Numbering
• Wireline Issues

Wilkinson Barker Knauer assists a wide range of clients in FCC dockets related to competition in telecommunications markets, including Intercarrier Compensation, Universal Service, and Telephone Numbering and Local Number Portability (LNP). While the majority of these dockets are under the jurisdiction of the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau, the firm advises mobile and fixed wireless providers in these matters as well as wireline carrier clients.

The firm represents clients in matters related to reciprocal compensation and access charges, a Wilkinson Barker practice even prior to the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Our lawyers are actively involved in the FCC’s ongoing Intercarrier Compensation proceeding and assist a variety of clients in negotiating Interconnection Agreements.

In regard to the Universal Service Fund (USF), WBK has been heavily involved in policy and practical issues related to both contributions and support. As part of the FCC’s ongoing proceedings related to the USF Contribution Methodology, the firm routinely counsels providers on questions regarding contribution obligations. The firm assists carriers seeking Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) status, facilitating carriers receipt of support for service in rural and high-cost areas while familiarizing them with related obligations, including the requirements related to support for Low-Income consumers.

Since its early days, Wilkinson Barker has stood by its carrier clients to help assure their access to Numbering Resources to serve their customers’ needs. WBK’s involvement in this area predates and includes the FCC’s Numbering Resource Optimization proceeding, Thousands-Block Number Pooling requirements, applications for initial and growth numbering resources, and the Numbering Resource Utilization and Forecasting (NRUF) form. Our attorneys have assisted the wireless industry in opposing Service-Specific and Technology-Specific Area Code Overlays and have been active in every aspect of LNP policy and deployment while being at the forefront of issues related to wireless and intermodal LNP.

The firm also represents carriers and manufacturers with respect to network element unbundling, resale, interconnection, and inter-LATA entry issues arising under the Telecommunications Act of 1966. Our work in this area includes counseling, interpreting, drafting comments, lobbying the Commission and appellate litigation in support of our clients’ activities. WBK also assists wireline carriers in transactional matters before the Wireline Competition Bureau under section 214 of the Communications Act.