Opinion ID: 503750
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Order on Remand

Text: 77 The FCC's explanation of why the special access tariffs it approved were permissible under section 202(a) in light of the amounts charged to AT & T under the SNFAs was, for the foregoing reasons, confused, conclusory, and uncompelling. On remand, we expect the FCC to employ some reasonable version of the three-stage analysis we described above. First, the FCC must determine, generally, whether some or all facilities available to AT & T under the SNFAs are like facilities that are used to provide special access services. Where the facilities are alike, the FCC must devise some reasonable mechanism to assess amounts paid under the two pricing schemes to determine whether some tariffs are discriminatory by comparison with their SNFA counterparts. Finally, if discrimination exists, the FCC must decide whether it is just and reasonable. 78 In order to perform this analysis, the FCC must of course obtain copies, or a reasonable sampling, of the SNFAs and lists of charges paid by AT & T pursuant to them. We do not mean to suggest that the FCC must require that a copy of every SNFA and every set of monthly charges be filed with the agency, or even that a copy of every extant SNFA involving like facilities be submitted. Consideration of a meaningful sample of the SNFAs will probably suffice. We will leave it to the FCC to devise an appropriate investigation to ensure that interexchange carriers other than AT & T are not being forced to pay unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory rates. 79 As the FCC has recognized, see Investigation of Access and Divestiture Related Tariffs, FCC 86-54 (Jan. 24, 1986), reprinted in J.A. 829, the BOCs bear the burden under 47 U.S.C. Sec. 204(a) of justifying the special access tariffs at issue. Perfect parity of charges is not necessary to meet the test of section 202(a), but the FCC must articulate with precision its reasons for tolerating any discrepancies it uncovers. See, e.g., Public Media Center v. FCC, 587 F.2d 1322, 1332 (D.C.Cir.1978). Finally, if the FCC wishes to avail itself of any of the reasons it invoked in its Special Access Order, it must address any relevant questions or criticisms this opinion advances.