The Commission initiates a rulemaking proceeding to review the Uniform System of Accounts (USOA) to consider ways to minimize the compliance burdens on incumbent local exchange carriers while ensuring that the Agency retains access to the information it needs to fulfill its regulatory duties. In light of the Commission’s actions in areas of price cap regulation, universal service reform, and intercarrier compensation reform, the Commission stated that it is likely appropriate to streamline the existing rules even though those reforms may not have eliminated the need for accounting data for some purposes. The Commission’s analysis and proposals are divided into three parts. First, the Commission proposes to streamline the USOA accounting rules while preserving their existing structure. Second, the Commission seeks more focused comment on the accounting requirements needed for price cap carriers to address our statutory and regulatory obligations. Third, the Commission seeks comment on several related issues, including state requirements, rate effects, implementation, continuing property records, and legal authority.

On February 23, 2017, the Commission adopted a Report and Order that revised the part 32 USOA to substantially reduce accounting burdens for both price cap and rate-of-return carriers. First, the Order streamlines the USOA for all carriers. In addition, the USOA will be aligned more closely with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP.  Second, the Order allows price cap carriers to use GAAP for all regulatory accounting purposes as long as they comply with targeted accounting rules, which are designed to mitigate any impact on pole attachment rates.  Alternatively, price cap carriers can elect to use GAAP accounting for all purposes other than those associated with pole attachment rates and continue to use the part 32 accounts for pole attachment rates for up to 12 years. Third, the Order addresses several miscellaneous issues, including referral to the Federal-State Joint Board on Separations the issue of examining jurisdictional separations rules in light of the reforms adopted to part 32.

On June 5, 2017, NCTA-The Internet & Television Association filed a petition for reconsideration of the Report and Order requesting that the Commission: (a) clarify that parties making pole attachments will have access to all accounting information needed to verify the reasonableness of pole attachment rates; and (b) establish additional substantive protections to ensure that pole attachment rates based on GAAP are consistent with the requirements of Section 224 of the Communication Act and the assurances contained in the Part 32 Order.  Oppositions to that petition were due on July 21, 2017, and replies were due on July 31, 2017.