FCC approved proposal Tues. to explore whether and how to reform way agency assesses carrier contributions to Universal Service Fund (USF) and how carriers can recover such costs from customers. Notice of proposed rulemaking unanimously approved by Commission solicits feedback on continuing to require carriers to contribute to USF based on percentage of collected revenue or whether agency should move toward flat-fee alternative, such as per-line charge. Companies that have recovered universal service contributions from customers haven’t historically been held by FCC to particular cost recovery method, with agency instead generally requiring contributors not to shift more than “equitable” amount of contributions to any customer or group of customers. FCC said changes under examination are response to industry trends, including new entrants such as RBOCs into long distance market because contributions now are based on historical, not current, interstate revenue.
Chip Export News
The U.S. maintains export controls on chips, semiconductors, and related technology to China and Chinese companies such as Huawei. The following are recent ECD articles about chip export controls:
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