The FCC Wireline Bureau denied two requests for review of...
The FCC Wireline Bureau denied two requests for review of Universal Service Administrative Co. decisions. Bestel sought review of a decision upholding late fees assessed for failure to pay into the USF on time. Bestel argued it didn’t receive invoices…
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until months after the due date, but the commission has “consistently stated that carriers must pay their USF obligations even if they do not receive a USAC invoice,” the bureau said Tuesday (http://xrl.us/bnuppa). Baltimore-Washington Telephone Co. (BWTel) sought review of a USAC decision assessing late fees for failing to timely file the Form 499-A annual telecom reporting worksheets from 2008-10. BWTel said the employee responsible for filing the form had been fired, and so USAC’s multiple invoice statements didn’t reach the right person. This didn’t sway the bureau, which said USAC is “under no obligation to notify filers of delinquent filings” (http://xrl.us/bnupqh). The bureau also denied a request by Digital Compass Telecom for a waiver of USF contribution obligations until December. Digital said it “inadvertently overstated projected revenues” on its Form 499-A, but the bureau found that the company made only “merely cursory” statements and did not explain in specific terms why the waiver would be appropriate and in the public interest (http://xrl.us/bnupqq).