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PSC accepts Armstrong Telephone's switched-access rate filing after administrative posting error
Summary
The Maryland PSC accepted Armstrong Telephone Company's adjusted intrastate switched-access (SAS) rates effective July 1, 2026, after staff described an administrative posting oversight; staff found the company had charged lower 2025 rates and estimated about a dozen wholesale customers saved approximately $79,344 over 12 months.
The Maryland Public Service Commission on July 1 accepted Armstrong Telephone Company's compliance filing to update intrastate switched-access (SAS) rates to mirror the National Exchange Carrier Association/ FCC-authorized interstate rates, with the tariff changes effective July 1, 2026.
Brandon Bowser of commission staff said Armstrong — a NECA "cost company" — submitted the compliance tariff as required by COMAR 20.45.09.03 and that NECA’s tariff (Tariff No. 5) went into effect this morning. Staff reported an administrative oversight: Armstrong had not posted its 2025 SAS tariff pages on its website when staff first reviewed the filing, though it confirmed the company had been charging the lower 2025 rates with an effective date of July 1, 2025. Armstrong corrected its website posting after staff inquiries.
"Staff confirms these corrections because the company took quick action to correct the tariff pages in its website to the 2025 rates," Bowser said, noting the corrected symbol in the tariff indicating a rate reduction. Staff calculated rate decreases ranging from about 0.6% to 0.7% depending on the charge and estimated the posting error produced roughly $551 per month in savings per affected wholesale customer; staff estimated roughly a dozen affected customers and about $79,344 in combined savings over 12 months.
In light of the small number of affected customers, the corrective actions taken by the company, and improvements to its internal posting processes, staff recommended acceptance of the 2026 SAS rates and associated tariff pages without punitive action. With no representative from Armstrong present, the commission moved to accept the tariff revisions for filing with an effective date of July 1, 2026; commissioners recorded affirmative votes.
Why it matters: the filing implements NECA/FCC-aligned access rates in Maryland and demonstrates the commission’s expectation that utilities maintain transparent public tariff records; staff said the company’s prompt corrections and the relatively small customer impact did not warrant further enforcement.
