The FCC should reform USF subsidy mechanisms for rate-of-return telcos this year, two rural LEC representatives and their consultants said in a filing in docket 10-90 Thursday by Cheryl Parrino of Parrino Strategic Consulting Group. Officials of Great Plains Communications and Consolidated Cos., Parrino and former Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth met with Wireline Bureau officials and commissioner aides Tuesday and Wednesday, Parrino wrote. "We also informed the offices that a model option is very critical for many rural companies like Great Plains and Consolidated and that without that option many rural customers will not receive the benefits of broadband deployment," Parrino said. "We indicated that the work on the model is well fleshed out and that the industry has made good progress on legacy reform." Rural telco groups proposed a framework for revising FCC (legacy) rate-of-return high-cost USF mechanisms to facilitate broadband support while also giving carriers the option of receiving support based on a revised broadband cost model (see 1506030052 and 1506040028). Rural telco representatives have continued to discuss specific reform ideas with the agency. Asked if the FCC would seek public comment on any proposed new rules, Wireline Bureau Chief Matt DelNero said Wednesday at an FCBA event that the agency would look to whether the proposals "are within the four corners" of a 2014 NPRM to make a determination.
The FCC should reform USF subsidy mechanisms for rate-of-return telcos this year, two rural LEC representatives and their consultants said in a filing in docket 10-90 Thursday by Cheryl Parrino of Parrino Strategic Consulting Group. Officials of Great Plains Communications and Consolidated Cos., Parrino and former Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth met with Wireline Bureau officials and commissioner aides Tuesday and Wednesday, Parrino wrote. "We also informed the offices that a model option is very critical for many rural companies like Great Plains and Consolidated and that without that option many rural customers will not receive the benefits of broadband deployment," Parrino said. "We indicated that the work on the model is well fleshed out and that the industry has made good progress on legacy reform." Rural telco groups proposed a framework for revising FCC (legacy) rate-of-return high-cost USF mechanisms to facilitate broadband support while also giving carriers the option of receiving support based on a revised broadband cost model (see 1506030052 and 1506040028). Rural telco representatives have continued to discuss specific reform ideas with the agency. Asked if the FCC would seek public comment on any proposed new rules, Wireline Bureau Chief Matt DelNero said Wednesday at an FCBA event that the agency would look to whether the proposals "are within the four corners" of a 2014 NPRM to make a determination.
FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai is anxious about how little time remains this year to resolve the stand-alone broadband issue, he told us. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler committed to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., that the agency would find a way by the end of the year to provide USF support for telecom companies that offer only broadband service. Industry stakeholders, Wheeler and Pai have kicked around different ideas this year about how to best resolve the situation, with the solution still unclear.
FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai is anxious about how little time remains this year to resolve the stand-alone broadband issue, he told us. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler committed to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., that the agency would find a way by the end of the year to provide USF support for telecom companies that offer only broadband service. Industry stakeholders, Wheeler and Pai have kicked around different ideas this year about how to best resolve the situation, with the solution still unclear.
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.
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 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).
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).
Commenters voiced substantial support for FCC proposals to extend Lifeline USF subsidies to broadband and restructure oversight, with differences over some priorities and many implementation details, including among the Bells. Expanding Lifeline support would boost broadband adoption and shifting administrative responsibility away from telecom providers would increase efficiency, many said in comments in docket 11-42 responding to a Further NPRM (see 1506180029). Some said the FCC should proceed carefully and focus on enforcing budget discipline and streamlining program administration. Monday was the filing deadline for initial comments, but some comments hadn't been posted on the commission’s website Tuesday, while some parties filed comments early (see 1508180069).
Commenters voiced substantial support for FCC proposals to extend Lifeline USF subsidies to broadband and restructure oversight, with differences over some priorities and many implementation details, including among the Bells. Expanding Lifeline support would boost broadband adoption and shifting administrative responsibility away from telecom providers would increase efficiency, many said in comments in docket 11-42 responding to a Further NPRM (see 1506180029). Some said the FCC should proceed carefully and focus on enforcing budget discipline and streamlining program administration. Monday was the filing deadline for initial comments, but some comments hadn't been posted on the commission’s website Tuesday, while some parties filed comments early (see 1508180069).