In this edition of the ICORE Blog we discuss recent events related to Broadband Consumer Labels, FCC Regulatory Fees, and the USF Contribution Factor:
* Broadband Consumer Labels
On September 10, 2024, the FCC released a Public Notice reminding Broadband Internet Access Service Providers (Providers) with fewer than 100,000 subscribers of their obligation to provide Consumer Broadband Labels effective October 10, 2024. We have addressed this issue on several occasions in previous ICORE Blog editions (2/14/23, 3/2/23, 3/31/23, 10/12/23, and 4/12/24) and provided detailed information regarding the format, content, location and other related label requirements.
The September 10, 2024, Public Notice references the adoption of the Broadband Label Order (Order) on November 14, 2022 and reiterates the Order’s requirements that Providers serving fewer than 100,000 subscribers must display, at the point of sale, a broadband consumer label with information about their service offerings including pricing, introductory rates, data allowances, and performance metrics. The Order also defined label formatting and display location requirements. Labels must be accessible in online account portals and information in the label must be available in machine-readable format.
ICORE is prepared to assist your Company in complying with the Consumer Broadband Label requirements. If interested please contact Chris Ulmer on 610-928-3903 or at culmer@icorellc.com.
* FCC Regulatory Fees
In a Public Notice released September 10, 2024, the FCC announced that FCC Regulatory Fees must be received by the Commission no later than 11:59PM, Eastern Daylight Time, on September 26, 2024, to avoid delinquency status, which includes penalty charges and impacts to future USF support. The Public Notice states that the FCC has discontinued the use of the Fee Filer system and incorporated this payment system into the Commission Registration System (CORES). Payees should log in to CORES with the appropriate FCC Registration Number (FRN) and password and follow the online prompts to review company data and submit an electronic payment. Use of the online payment system is mandatory. Payments in the form of checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks will not be accepted.
* USF Contribution Factor
In a Public Notice released on September 11, 2024, the FCC announced the proposed USF contribution factor for the 4th quarter of 2024. Based on projections submitted by USAC the proposed 4th quarter USF contribution factor will be 0.358 or 35.8 percent. This represents an increase over the current contribution factor, which is 34.4 percent. If the Commission takes no further action regarding USAC’s projections and the proposed contribution factor within the 14-day period following the release of this Public Notice the proposed 35.8 percent factor shall be deemed approved by the Commission. NECA announced on September 11, 2024, that a revision to Tariff 5 will be filed on September 16, 2024, increasing the Federal Universal Service Charge to 35.8 percent. All companies listed in Section 17.7(A) of this tariff will need to implement this change in their systems. The proposed change is expected to become effective on October1, 2024.
