The FCC released a new eligible service list (ESL) for the E-rate USF program providing discounts for schools and libraries. "In the ESL Public Notice for this coming funding year, we proposed keeping the basic structure of the ESL while modifying the ESL to reflect the changes the Commission made to the E-rate program for funding year 2016 in the Second E-rate Modernization Order, and to provide some minor clarifications," the Wireline Bureau said in an order. The bureau said it is adopting the proposed changes to the ESL in the public notice with some modifications.
LAS VEGAS -- FCC commissioners expressed sharp disagreement last week on an expected NPRM on broadband providers’ privacy obligations under new net neutrality rules (see 1509090061). Similar to the February vote on the order itself, Chairman Tom Wheeler appears to have the support of Commissioner Mignon Clyburn on the NPRM, with Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Ajit Pai in opposition. FCC officials say the NPRM is likely to circulate for the agency’s October or November meeting.
Public interest groups asked for more time to file opposition to CTIA's petition for reconsideration of targeted FCC Lifeline USF decisions (see 1508130048), in a motion posted Wednesday in docket 11-42. The Center for Democracy and Technology, Free Press, the New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute and Public Knowledge asked the commission to push back a Sept. 17 deadline for filing oppositions to Oct. 19.
LAS VEGAS -- The FCC should wrap up an order creating a dedicated USF mobility fund, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn urged, speaking Thursday at the Rural Wireless Association conference at the CTIA convention.
The National Association of State 911 Administrators released a white paper on four possible approaches states could take to ensure sustainable funding for next-generation 911. The white paper addresses the problem of declining revenue and suggests using either the current funding model with moderate changes, sales tax, insurance or the state USF as a means to fix that. A companion white paper will be released in early 2016, it said.
The industry appeal of the latest FCC net neutrality order is taking on a much different character than Verizon’s challenge to the 2010 order on that topic. Industry observers said that can be both a good and a bad thing for opponents of the rules, approved in February by a sharply divided FCC. Several attorneys cited the same adage -- too many cooks can spoil the broth. But they also said many of the lawyers have long appellate experience, which also strengthens the appeal.
The FCC could face tough implementation tasks as it seeks to modernize Lifeline subsidy mechanisms for low-income consumers, conflicting comments in the agency’s rulemaking suggest. The commission received strong support -- and a deluge of parties weighed in -- on its core proposals to extend Lifeline USF support from voice to broadband service and shift consumer eligibility oversight away from telecom providers. (For previous stories, see 1509010073, 1509020058, 1509020048 and 1508180069).
Comments on wireless Lifeline reconsideration petitions are due Sept. 17, replies Sept. 28, the FCC Wireline Bureau said in a public notice Wednesday in docket 11-42. The bureau said a notice published in the Federal Register had incorrectly stated the deadline for replies. The FCC approved an order in June making targeted Lifeline USF revisions while seeking comment on proposals for broader changes. CTIA's petition asked the commission to reconsider declarations about the scope of its authority under Section 222(a) and Section 201(b) of the Communications Act (see 1508130048).
A federal court suspended its review of an AT&T challenge to a December FCC order on price-cap telco USF obligations. The commission had asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to hold the AT&T case in abeyance while the agency considers related issues in a USTelecom forbearance petition and two other proceedings, which could render moot or alter the case (see 1507270038). In a brief order on Thursday granting the FCC request pending further order of the court, Judges David Tatel and Cornelia Pillard asked the parties to file motions on future proceedings within 14 days of an FCC decision addressing AT&T's issues in either the USTelecom forbearance proceeding or the two parallel rulemakings, or by Jan. 18, whichever comes first.
More wireless carriers weighed in on Lifeline reform in comments posted by the FCC (see 1509010073) in docket 10-90 Wednesday. Sprint urged the FCC to use a light hand in imposing new regulations as it moves toward new Lifeline rules. “The Lifeline market -- particularly for wireless Lifeline services -- is robustly competitive, with wireless service offers improving significantly and steadily over the past several years even in the face of higher regulatory compliance costs, higher risk, and higher churn,” Sprint said. While the voice-only support amount should remain at $9.25 monthly per line, a $9.25 subsidy for broadband service, with no subsidy for a broadband device, “will be too low to generate a meaningful increase in broadband subscription by Lifeline customers,” Sprint said. Proposals to cap the Lifeline program are “premature” and should be abandoned by the commission, the carrier said. The FCC also “should decline to adopt any proposal to recover program administration costs exclusively from Lifeline service providers,” Sprint said. “As is the case for every other federal Universal Service program, all Lifeline program costs should be recovered through the general USF contribution factor assessed on all contributors.” A group of wireless eligible telecom carriers, each with fewer than 2,000 Lifeline customers, urged the FCC to cut red tape in the program. “Lifeline providers currently face significant regulatory compliance burdens, including monthly reporting (FCC Form 497), annual reporting (FCC Forms 481 and 555), the need to develop and modify Lifeline enrollment forms, the requirement to review and process certification forms and eligibility documentation during enrollment, the need to upload and manage subscriber information in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), the requirement to re-certify all of their Lifeline customers each year, and the need to respond to USAC audits including Payment Quality Assurance (PQA) reviews and other inquiries,” they said. While the FCC is recommending some streamlining of the rules, it's proposing additional regulatory requirements, the small carriers said. “This burden falls disproportionately on small carriers, who cannot spread the regulatory costs of Lifeline compliance -- many of which are fixed costs -- across a large customer base.” Carolina West Wireless, Cellular Network Partnership, East Kentucky Network, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Union Telephone and Union Wireless signed the filing.