Some regulators and telcos want state and federal USF contribution revisions, while others representing wireless ISPs would rather see the entire system shut down and overhauled, said speakers during a National Regulatory Research Institute tele-seminar. Speaking Thursday, the deadline day for telcos to accept FCC Connect America Fund Phase II offers (see 1508270068), experts said the funds wouldn't cover building out all networks to FCC standards, so it’s up to states to try to supplement that spending to improve the networks' reach to rural areas. The companies are aware the investment needed will be more than the funding, so they're ready to work with each state on how far it will go and whether other assistance is available, telco representatives said.

State policymakers must continue to address how to ensure communications services are available and affordable for consumers so industry can adapt and bring everything into the now broadband-focused playing field, USF experts said in interviews Friday. A white paper, released Friday, by Sherry Lichtenberg, National Regulatory Research Institute principal researcher, said state USF support includes high-cost support, funds for broadband access for schools and libraries, funding for Lifeline and dedicated broadband funding. A key finding in the review is the limitation on high-cost support for areas where competition has driven down the cost of service, reducing the need for support, Lichtenberg said.

State policymakers must continue to address how to ensure communications services are available and affordable for consumers so industry can adapt and bring everything into the now broadband-focused playing field, USF experts said in interviews Friday. A white paper, released Friday, by Sherry Lichtenberg, National Regulatory Research Institute principal researcher, said state USF support includes high-cost support, funds for broadband access for schools and libraries, funding for Lifeline and dedicated broadband funding. A key finding in the review is the limitation on high-cost support for areas where competition has driven down the cost of service, reducing the need for support, Lichtenberg said.

A bitterly divided FCC voted 3-2 Thursday to approve a package of proposals and actions to move the Lifeline USF program toward broadband coverage and move to improve oversight and counter abuses. The FCC's Democratic majority said the NPRM and orders would reboot Lifeline for the 21st century by helping low-income consumers gain broadband access and by undertaking further administrative restructuring to ensure program efficiency and integrity. But the Republican minority said Democratic refusal to impose or even propose a Lifeline budgetary cap was fiscally irresponsible and invited further waste, fraud and abuse.

A bitterly divided FCC voted 3-2 Thursday to approve a package of proposals and actions to move the Lifeline USF program toward broadband coverage and move to improve oversight and counter abuses. The FCC's Democratic majority said the NPRM and orders would reboot Lifeline for the 21st century by helping low-income consumers gain broadband access and by undertaking further administrative restructuring to ensure program efficiency and integrity. But the Republican minority said Democratic refusal to impose or even propose a Lifeline budgetary cap was fiscally irresponsible and invited further waste, fraud and abuse.

Frontier Communications agreed to accept $283.4 million in annual USF support to provide broadband access to more than 650,000 unserved rural locations over the next few years, the company said Tuesday in a news release. Frontier accepted the entire amount it was offered under the FCC Connect America Fund Phase II program, becoming the first price-cap telco to announce its decision. The FCC gave price-cap carriers until Aug. 27 to decide whether to accept CAF Phase II funding, state by state (see 1504290066). Frontier accepted funding for all its 28 states.

Frontier Communications agreed to accept $283.4 million in annual USF support to provide broadband access to more than 650,000 unserved rural locations over the next few years, the company said Tuesday in a news release. Frontier accepted the entire amount it was offered under the FCC Connect America Fund Phase II program, becoming the first price-cap telco to announce its decision. The FCC gave price-cap carriers until Aug. 27 to decide whether to accept CAF Phase II funding, state by state (see 1504290066). Frontier accepted funding for all its 28 states.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler circulated a proposal for reforming the $1.7 billion USF Lifeline program, providing limited funding for broadband (see 1505270048). In an apparent peace offering to Republicans concerned about an expanding program, FCC officials said the commission will seek comment on whether this is the right time to consider a cap on the program's size. FCC officials said Thursday that many new Lifeline customers are wireless, but the rules don't discriminate against wireline service. Wheeler is, as some predicted, seeking a vote at the FCC’s June 18 meeting (see 1505010051). House Republicans signaled resistance to any proposal to expand the program.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler circulated a proposal for reforming the $1.7 billion USF Lifeline program, providing limited funding for broadband (see 1505270048). In an apparent peace offering to Republicans concerned about an expanding program, FCC officials said the commission will seek comment on whether this is the right time to consider a cap on the program's size. FCC officials said Thursday that many new Lifeline customers are wireless, but the rules don't discriminate against wireline service. Wheeler is, as some predicted, seeking a vote at the FCC’s June 18 meeting (see 1505010051). House Republicans signaled resistance to any proposal to expand the program.

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn urged on the FCC to move forward on overhaul of the USF Lifeline program. “The criticism that Lifeline does not serve its targeted audience because people already have phone service is a myth,” Clyburn said in a speech Monday at NTCA. “Too many consumers are struggling to maintain service, and we have a duty to respond.” FCC officials said Monday the agency appears headed toward an NPRM on a Lifeline overhaul, possibly this summer.