Don't let pole owners charge the full cost of a pole replacement to attachers when there is "some measurable benefit to the pole owner," Otelco said in a meeting with the FCC Wireline Bureau. "It is not enough that complaint procedures are enacted to redress unreasonable, unjust and discriminatory rates, terms and conditions," Otelco said, per an ex parte filing posted Wednesday in docket 17-84: "Otherwise attachers will be forced to either endure the unreasonable access requirements, or litigate to force reasonable access." The company also asked the FCC to "codify its directives on boxing poles, use of pre-make-ready attachments and self-help remedies." Otelco specifically sought confirmation that National Electrical Safety Code-compliant boxing of poles is "presumptively allowed."
USTelecom welcomed the FCC's draft order implementing the Safe Connections Act in separate meetings with aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioners Brendan Carr, Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington. Commissioners will consider the order, which would provide survivors of domestic violence with access to safe and affordable communications services, during a Nov. 15 agency meeting (see 2310250070). The group sought greater flexibility in the deadlines for providers to update their copies of the hotline database, per an ex parte filing posted Tuesday in docket 22-238. "Providers will need the additional time to perform the monthly updates if the process is technically complex," USTelecom said. The group also asked that survivors self-certify their eligibility for Lifeline to do so in the national verifier and that they can receive the benefit only for voice-only mobile wireless service.
The FCC wants comments by Dec. 14, replies by Jan. 17, in docket 23-320 on its NPRM seeking to reestablish net neutrality rules, said a notice in Friday's Federal Register. Commissioners approved the item in a 3-2 vote in October (see 2310190020).
Public Knowledge raised concerns about "unintended loopholes" that could arise from the FCC's draft order on digital discrimination in a Monday meeting with Wireline Bureau staff (see 2310250070). Per an ex parte filing posted Thursday in docket 22-69, PK told staff that the FCC should clarify that it "intends to apply the economic feasibility framework in a way that balances necessary considerations while remaining faithful to the intent of Congress that low-income Americans enjoy equal access to broadband as wealthier Americans in the same service area." The group also asked the FCC to require staff to share with any complainant any response from an ISP, allow them to rebut the response, and publish the ultimate resolution of any complaint.
The FCC committed nearly $5.2 million in additional Emergency Connectivity Fund support Wednesday. The new funding will support 23 schools and school districts from the third application filing window, per a news release.
InnoCaption urged the FCC to develop a rate methodology for IP captioned telephone services that "supports the viability" of communications assistants, automatic speech recognition, and the combined use of both options, per an ex parte filing posted Tuesday in docket 03-123 (see 2310260053). The IP CTS provider backed the commission's proposed three-year rate cycle in separate calls with aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Nathan Simington, but it noted four or five years "would be ideal" to "provide long term rate stability" and "incentivize strategic investments."
Free State Foundation President Randolph May urged FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to "change the messaging" on the commission's net neutrality proceeding (see 2310190020). Rosenworcel should "make clear that widespread public participation is encouraged ... while, at the same time emphasizing that the comment process is not a vote," May blogged Tuesday. May raised concerns about fake comments and mass submissions that say only whether a commenter was for or against net neutrality, adding there are "important economic, technical, social, and legal questions at issue that deserve thoughtful, well-supported substantive treatment."
The FCC authorized more than $18.3 billion in enhanced alternative connect America cost model (ACAM) support for 368 companies Monday (see 2308310047). The 15-year support period will begin Jan. 1, said a news release. The Wireline Bureau directed the Universal Service Administrative Co. to disburse funding to carriers eligible for support in a public notice in docket 10-90.
The FCC Wireline Bureau extended until Nov. 8 the deadline for E-rate participants with any form or program process deadline that must be filed with the E-rate productivity center (EPC) between Tuesday and Nov. 7, said a public notice Friday in docket 02-6. The bureau said the Universal Service Administrative Co. is consolidating its schools and library legacy invoicing system into the EPC, causing the system to be unavailable to users during that time.
The FCC wants comments by Nov. 29, replies Dec. 29, in docket 13-97 on a Further NPRM strengthening rules on direct numbering access authorization, said a notice for Monday's Federal Register. Comments on information collection requirements are due by Dec. 29. Commissioners adopted the item in September (see 2309210055).