Pai Plans Rural Telco USF Draft Order This Year, Addresses Other Lawmaker USF Queries
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said he plans to circulate a draft order "later this year" intended to ensure rural carrier high-cost USF support is adequate and efficient over the long term. Noting a March NPRM, Pai agreed the commission "must…
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take a close look at expanding access to and funding for our small-carrier cost model and that we must end the unpredictable cuts to carriers not on the model," said his response to a letter from Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and 129 House colleagues (exchange posted Monday in docket 18-5). "Increased funding will boost broadband deployment in rural America, and additional reforms will put our high-cost system on a more efficient path so that every American can benefit from the digital revolution," he said. Pai cited recent FCC actions aimed at boosting RLEC high-cost USF support and rural healthcare support, responding to concerns from Reps. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., and Peter Welch, D-Vt. (exchange). The chairman defended FCC efforts to better target Lifeline USF support and combat abuse in the program, responding to concerns of Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., and 57 House colleagues about agency proposals (exchange). Pai cited FCC Lifeline and high-cost efforts to help Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands recover from hurricane damage, responding to the concerns of Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., and 47 House and Senate colleagues about the storm devastation and the Lifeline proposals' potential impact on the islands (exchange). Pai said the recent transfer of USF funds from a private bank to the U.S. Treasury "reduces risks" and maintains "rigorous management practices and regulatory safeguards," without disrupting revenue flows; he was responding to a letter from Gwen Moore, D-Wis., and eight House colleagues (exchange).