New York Seeks Pai Support for Waiver to Use CAF Phase II Funds in State Auction
New York state officials made their case to FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai's office for a waiver of Connect America Fund rules requiring Phase II broadband-oriented subsidy support to be awarded in the state through a federal reverse auction. The waiver…
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would "dramatically facilitate" the buildout of high-speed networks, "consistent with Commissioner Pai’s goals of quickly removing regulatory impediments to the deployment of broadband services in rural communities," said the Empire State Development filing in docket 10-90. New York wants to tap the federal Phase II funding, which incumbent telco Verizon turned down, for use in its own state reverse auction of broadband subsidies (see 1610130047). Pai is considered likely to be named chairman under President-elect Donald Trump, at least in an acting capacity (see 1611140066).