News

Memos, Resources

Memo: BDC PE Certification Waiver Extended

December 6, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) extended the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) Professional Engineer (PE) certification waiver, with conditions. In 2020, Congress passed the Broadband DATA Act, which required the FCC to adopt rules for a biannual data collection relating to the availability and quality of broadband Internet access service. This data collection effort and resulting…

Continue Reading
Memos, Resources

Memo: FCC Releases BEAD State and Tribal Engagement Guidance for Enhanced A-CAM and Other High-Cost Support Recipients

December 4, 2023

On November 29, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice providing guidance to High-Cost support recipients regarding their obligations to collaborate with states and Tribal governments to avoid duplication with Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding. High-Cost support includes Enhanced A-CAM, RDOF, CAF Phase II Auction, Bringing Puerto Rico Together…

Continue Reading
Memos, Resources

Memo: Broadband Label Compliance Dates

October 16, 2023

Compliance dates for rules implementing Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act announced. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) announced compliance dates for the Broadband Label Order. The rules require Broadband Internet Access Service (BIAS) providers to display, at the point of sale, labels that disclose certain information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, broadband…

Continue Reading
Memos, Resources

Memo: Enhanced A-CAM Participation List Released

October 5, 2023

50% threshold met. Program going forward. On October 4, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice announcing the carriers that accepted Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) support. Contained in the Public Notice was a link to a list of those carriers. The FCC also noted that based on the election…

Continue Reading
Memos, Resources

Memo: Enhanced A-CAM Funding Illustrative Results Available

August 9, 2023

On July 24, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its Enhanced A-CAM Order giving legacy high-cost support recipients and current A-CAM I & II recipients the ability to accept the 15-year Enhanced A-CAM offer to provide 100/20 Mbps broadband service to unserved and underserved locations. Carriers must elect whether to accept the Enhanced A-CAM…

Continue Reading
Memos, Resources

Memo: FCC Announces Updated Lifeline Minimum Standards

July 26, 2023

The FCC released a Public Notice on July 21, 2023 announcing the new Lifeline Minimum Standards that will take effect on December 1, 2024. Fixed Broadband – 25M/3M with 1280 GB of usage per month (speed remained unchanged, data usage increased) Exception Reminder – If 25M/3M is unavailable at the subscriber’s location, the Lifeline benefit…

Continue Reading
Memos, Resources

Memo: Enhanced A-CAM Program Adopted

July 25, 2023

Yesterday the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its Report and Order, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Notice of Inquiry (Order) extending the Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) program support for fifteen (15) years in exchange for the provision of broadband service to 100% of the eligible locations at speeds of 100/20 Mbps. It is a…

Continue Reading
Memos, Resources

Memo: FCC Pauses Voice Lifeline Phase-out and Mobile Broadband Data Capacity Increase… Again

July 17, 2023

The FCC released an Order on July 7, 2023, hitting the pause button on, (1) the support phase-out of Lifeline voice services, and (2) the data capacity increase for mobile broadband, for an additional year. As a result of the pause, the basic lifeline benefit will remain at $5.25 for eligible voice-only service and the…

Continue Reading
Memos, Resources

Memo: BEAD Funding Allocations Announced

June 27, 2023

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the state funding allocations for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program yesterday. Additional information is available in the Press Release. The funding is being distributed based on BEAD requirements and the number of unserved and underserved locations as determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)…

Continue Reading
Memos, Resources

Memo: Potential USF Funding Reductions Due to Unsubsidized Competitors

June 16, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is to eliminate Universal Service Fund (USF) high-cost support to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) in areas where an unsubsidized competitor is currently providing service. This applies to programs such as A-CAM, CAF-BLS, and The Alaska Plan-Phase 1. The current definition of unsubsidized competitor is “a facilities-based provider of residential fixed…

Continue Reading
  • 1
  • 2