Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON NEXT STEPS TOWARD COMBATTING RURAL LONG-DISTANCE CALL COMPLETION PROBLEMS -- WASHINGTON, July 13, 2017 – Continuing its work to improve communications services in rural America, the Federal Communications Commission took additional steps to combat the problem of long-distance calls failing to reach rural communities. The FCC is seeking comment on rules that would hold phone companies more accountable for ensuring that long-distance calls to rural America get through to a called party. Certain telephone companies that hand off calls to intermediate providers would be required to monitor the performance of these intermediaries and hold them accountable if calls don’t go through. Failed long-distance calls have serious consequences for rural America. From dangerous delays in public safety communications, to loss of business suffered by rural enterprises, to families being cut off from loved ones, these failures have hurt rural Americans and the rural economy. While FCC actions to date have reduced the number of complaints about failed long-distance calls, this serious problem persists. By making long-distance providers accountable for the rural call completion performance of their intermediate providers, today’s proposal would more directly and quickly tackle rural call completion problems than the FCC’s current regulations. This solution represents an effective means of improving rural call completion while not unnecessarily burdening providers because it follows industry best practices. The Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on this proposal as well as on proposals to either modify or eliminate the FCC’s current rural call completion data collection and reporting rules. Action by the Commission July 13, 2017 by Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 17-92). Chairman Pai, Commissioners Clyburn and O’Rielly approving and issuing separate statements. WC Docket No. 13-39 ### Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 ASL Videophone: 1-844-432-2275 TTY: (888) 835-5322 Twitter: @FCC www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).