A new analysis and report from Mattey Consulting recommends adding broadband internet access revenues to the USF contributions base. The study, supported by NTCA, INCOMPASS and the SHLB Coalition and entitled USForward, offers several reasons why this change will stabilize the Universal Service Fund. Absent this action, the study correctly asserts, the fund will fall … Read More
Telephony…Then and Now
While reading some industry news recently, I was reminded of how much telecommunications has changed in the more than 53 years since I joined General Telephone Company of Pennsylvania, fresh out of college. Having grown up with an eight-party line in Bell Telephone territory, I had no comprehension that Independent Telephone Companies even existed. I … Read More
HCL Support to Increase for Average Schedule Companies
NECA’s proposed 2022 High-Cost Loop formula for small, average schedule companies will significantly increase settlements for 72 qualifying study areas. In 2021, 71 study areas received $3.875 million in HCL payments. NECA’s proposed 2022 formula will pay approximately $6.034 million to 72 average schedule study areas. This represents an increase of about 55.79% from roughly … Read More
Federal Coalition to Address Broadband on Tribal Lands
The Department of the Interior recently announced that a coalition of federal agencies will work together to increase internet access and close the digital divide In U.S. Indian Country. The Interior Department and the Institute of Museum and Library Services will join Agriculture’s Rural Development Service and Commerce’s NTIA for the 2021 National Tribal Broadband … Read More
USTelecom, NTCA Remind the FCC of its RDOF Eligibility Policies
In a recent meeting with, and follow-up letter to the FCC, USTelecom – The Broadband Association and NTCA –The Rural Broadband Association, addressed the 197 letters that the Commission sent to a variety of RDOF auction winners. Those FCC letters, said the digital associations, “appear to offer winning bidders an opportunity to no longer pursue … Read More
Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Will Close Digital Divide
The recently announced federal infrastructure plan will allocate $65 billion for broadband that “ensures every American has access to reliable high-speed internet with an historic investment in broadband infrastructure deployment.” The plan outline recognizes that “more than 30 million Americans live in areas where there is no broadband infrastructure that provides minimally acceptable speeds – … Read More
Bill Requires FCC to Consider USF Contributions from New Sources
A bill introduced by Republican Senators Shelley Moore-Caputo, WV, Roger Wicker, MS, and Todd Young, IN, would order the FCC to conduct a feasibility study of collecting USF payments from internet edge providers. These are companies such as Google, Netflix and YouTube that – according to the proposed FAIR Contribution Act — provide “online content … Read More
Senators to FCC: Where is the RDOF Money?
In a recent letter to Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and John Thune (R-SD) questioned the status of funding to the winners of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction. They pointed out that almost seven months had passed since over 300 companies had been awarded $5.2 million to provide broadband to … Read More
CEI, Other Organizations Oppose BRIDGE Act
Twenty-three groups, including the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, joined in a late June letter opposing the recently introduced BRIDGE Act (see our June 21, 2021 Blog). The letter states that the intent of the bill is to close the digital divide, but it will fail to do so. Only 50 … Read More
Federal Agencies Will Coordinate Broadband Distributions
Three key federal agencies have signed an agreement to coordinate their funding for broadband deployment. Included are the FCC’s High-Cost Programs, the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service Programs, and all programs administered or coordinated by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The agreement calls for these agencies to share information about planned or existing projects that … Read More
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