Step 4 Filing Requirements

High Cost Loop

High Cost Loop (HCL) support is available to rural price cap and rate-of-return incumbent carriers and competitive carriers providing service in the areas of these rural companies. Non-rural carriers may be eligible where HCL is calculated in excess of the phase-down under the interim hold harmless provisions of the FCC's rules.

All incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) are required to submit certain investment and expense data, including line count information, to the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA) on July 31 of each year. Non-rural ILECs and rural ILECs with competition are required to submit updated line count data on a quarterly basis to NECA.

Section 36.611 of the FCC's rules (47 C.F.R. § 36.611) lists the specific cost, investment, and line count data that must be submitted by ILECs to NECA.