Democratic Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel dissented Tuesday on an order creating a new Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) within the FCC, which was approved 3-2 (see 1801230066). Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said the order was strengthened since it was circulated to ensure the office plays a major role in policy formation. Officials told reporters after the meeting the office likely would have under 100 staffers.
Democratic Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel dissented Tuesday on an order creating a new Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) within the FCC, which was approved 3-2 (see 1801230066). Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said the order was strengthened since it was circulated to ensure the office plays a major role in policy formation. Officials told reporters after the meeting the office likely would have under 100 staffers.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said he plans to circulate soon a rural high-cost USF item, which he said would explore an appropriate budget and other ways to increase program certainty. The aim is to spur broadband deployment without inviting inefficient investment or operations, he said. Pai has been making increasing noises about updating rate-of-return USF funding rules (see 1711030065 and 1712210041), but his comments in a recent letter were his most explicit yet on expected action. He responded Dec. 19 to an Oct. 30 letter from Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, who asked the FCC to address a funding "shortfall" impeding the broadband efforts of smaller rural carriers. Both letters were posted Wednesday in docket 17-18.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said he plans to circulate soon a rural high-cost USF item, which he said would explore an appropriate budget and other ways to increase program certainty. The aim is to spur broadband deployment without inviting inefficient investment or operations, he said. Pai has been making increasing noises about updating rate-of-return USF funding rules (see 1711030065 and 1712210041), but his comments in a recent letter were his most explicit yet on expected action. He responded Dec. 19 to an Oct. 30 letter from Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, who asked the FCC to address a funding "shortfall" impeding the broadband efforts of smaller rural carriers. Both letters were posted Wednesday in docket 17-18.
Protests highlight growing resistance to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's plan to undo net neutrality regulation and Communications Act Title II broadband classification, said organizers of 700 demonstrations they say were held across the country Thursday. Attendees said much the same thing. But the protests won't change any votes at the FCC's decisive Thursday meeting, it's widely believed. Self-identified Republicans, independents and Democrats were among protesters, they said on the sidelines.
Protests highlight growing resistance to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's plan to undo net neutrality regulation and Communications Act Title II broadband classification, said organizers of 700 demonstrations they say were held across the country Thursday. Attendees said much the same thing. But the protests won't change any votes at the FCC's decisive Thursday meeting, it's widely believed. Self-identified Republicans, independents and Democrats were among protesters, they said on the sidelines.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission must do all it can to close the rural broadband gap, a member said Thursday at a livestreamed information meeting on the state’s USF high-cost support mechanism. State broadband officials said limited funding makes it tough to spread broadband. Supporting municipal broadband efforts and phasing out high-cost support for traditional phone service could be ways forward, consumer advocates said. PUC staff pointed to continued decline in USF contributions due to changing technology.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission must do all it can to close the rural broadband gap, a member said Thursday at a livestreamed information meeting on the state’s USF high-cost support mechanism. State broadband officials said limited funding makes it tough to spread broadband. Supporting municipal broadband efforts and phasing out high-cost support for traditional phone service could be ways forward, consumer advocates said. PUC staff pointed to continued decline in USF contributions due to changing technology.
AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and the Voice on the Net Coalition urged the FCC to complete an intercarrier compensation move to bill-and-keep arrangements under which carriers don't charge each other for exchanging traffic, and speed the transition to IP-based networks. Rural telcos urged a more cautious approach. Comments were posted Thursday and Friday in docket 01-92 on a public notice seeking to refresh the record as a phaseout of many terminating charges continues under a 2011 overhaul. Sprint remains "concerned that [LECs] will be reluctant (or even refuse) to enter into far more efficient IP interconnection arrangements" as long as they can collect access charges. AT&T and Verizon also commented. Many ILECs exchange much voice traffic in "highly inefficient TDM-based arrangements," forcing cable companies to "spend millions of dollars every year converting IP-based voice traffic," said NCTA. It urged "incentives for completing the transition to an all IP-environment." T-Mobile said the agency should create such incentives, scrap rules slowing the IP transition, and convene a federal-state board to work with industry to consolidate interconnection points. "Correct this asymmetry by adopting rules permitting all tandem owners to be compensated equally for the use of their networks -- thereby establishing the end office as the proper default network edge for all providers," recommended CenturyLink. ITTA said carriers should be required to "make one or more network edge point(s) available such that carriers that interconnect at that point will pay nothing to the terminating carrier for terminating the traffic." NTCA and WTA sought action only after high-cost USF "budget shortfalls" are addressed. Any subsequent "reforms" should create certainty about "network 'edge' transport obligations, while protecting rural consumers," the RLEC groups said. "Facilitate IP-to-IP interconnection by providing stable and clear 'rules of the road' governing all underlying network technologies." HD Tandem sought an IP-based transition with "regulatory glide paths."
Large telcos and others urged the FCC to complete an intercarrier compensation move to bill-and-keep arrangements under which carriers don't charge each other for exchanging traffic, and speed the transition to IP-based networks. Rural telcos urged a more cautious approach and further FCC action only after addressing USF subsidy "shortfalls." Comments were posted Thursday and Friday in docket 01-92 on a public notice seeking to refresh the record as a lengthy phaseout of many terminating charges continues under a 2011 overhaul.