Our May 25th Comments stressed to the FCC that to meet its goals of Universal Service, support to high cost, low revenue rural areas must be consistent, predictable and fully sufficient to allow for the growth and deployment of advanced, high speed broadband services. Thus, the Commission, “must not be bound by any rigid budget … Read More
As USAC Announces Cuts in HCLS and CAF BLS Support, Pai Responds
USAC recently announced that application of the FCC’s budget control mechanism would reduce USF support for small Rate-of-Return RLECS by 15.52% over the course of the next year. “As required by the…Rate of Return Order,” they said, “USAC is required to calculate total support available to Rate of Return carriers.” Did they mention that they … Read More
A Couple of Good Things
At least two promising events occurred during our short hiatus from publishing our ICORE Blog. First, the Ninth Circuit Court granted a motion to transfer the proceeding covering multiple petitions for review of the FCC’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order to the D.C. Circuit Court. The Ninth Circuit Court, of course, is that looney leftist bench … Read More
Hats Off to the Small Company Coalition, Again
Our August 10th, 2017 blog praised the SCC for being a strong advocate on behalf of small RLECs. In late January, members of the coalition held a teleconference with FCC Chairman Pai’s Wireline Advisor to discuss a draft Order that will add $500 million in USF support for RLEC broadband deployment. (See our January 18th, … Read More
Finally, FCC Promises Rural Broadband USF Relief
“In my first remarks to FCC staff as Chairman…I declared that my highest priority would be making sure every American who wants high-speed Internet access can get it. Rural Americans deserve the same digital access as those living in more urban areas.” So begins Chairman Ajit Pai’s response to an October 30 letter from Congressman … Read More
Relief in Sight?
Recent FCC actions indicate that it is in the process of addressing the critical shortfall in USF support for RLECs. The Commission has directed USAC to retain any excess cash in the high cost account at year end 2017, estimated at $129 million, and not take that amount into consideration in calculating the first quarter … Read More
A Busy Time
All five FCC Commissioners recently testified before the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, covering a variety of broad issues concerning “Oversight of the FCC.” On November 1, the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law held its own hearing with the FCC, this time on “Net Neutrality and the Role of Antitrust.” In … Read More
The FCC Must Act SOON
With High Cost Loop Support continuing to be significantly reduced, many small Rate of Return RLECs – both those receiving legacy settlements, as well as those choosing the ACAM model – are experiencing interstate revenue shortfalls. Their ability to provide advanced broadband services in rural America is seriously challenged by ever-decreasing support imposed by past … Read More
Pai Addresses Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Lifeline Program
In recent testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai confirmed what many of us already knew, or at least suspected: That there has been massive corruption in the Lifeline program over several years. Pai testified that before becoming Chairman, he conducted a thorough investigation of the … Read More
Budget Mechanism Strikes Again
NECA has just filed its proposed 2018 Modification of the Average Schedule Universal Service High Cost Loop Support Formula, which increases interstate USF settlements for some of the nation’s smallest RLECs. If approved, the revised formula will be effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. Even with limitation on Operating Expenses (Opex) and the … Read More
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