The FCC’s moves aimed at supporting telecommunications services during the COVID-19 pandemic continue with a temporary change in rules for the high-cost Universal Service Fund (USF). The change targets competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (CETCs), who primarily are mobile wireless providers…
As anticipated, the FCC voted today to increase the high-cost USF budget for carriers selecting support based on the alternative Connect America Fund (A-CAM) cost model and for those remaining on the traditional high-cost program. In addition, the commission will…
The FCC has waived the budget control mechanism for the Universal Service Fund (USF) high-cost loop support (HCLS) and Connect America Fund broadband loop support (CAF BLS) programs for the July 2023 to June 2024 tariff year. The move will…
The FCC has taken a step toward USF contribution base reform. The commission asked Congress to “provide the commission with the legislative tools needed to make changes to the contributions methodology and base” for the Universal Service Fund (USF). The…
The FCC said today that it will not impose the high-cost Universal Service Fund (USF) budget control mechanism for the upcoming funding year. Budget control was scheduled to go into effect in July for small rural rate-of-return providers that have…
In addition to making unprecedented funding available for broadband, the infrastructure act signed into law late last year also directed the FCC to study the impact of the new government broadband funding on the Universal Service Fund program. As part…
Several broadband provider associations, along with other entities numbering 332 in total, are taking another crack at persuading the FCC to expand the contribution base for the Universal Service Fund (USF) program to include broadband revenues. In a letter to…
A new report recommends that the Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution base should be expanded to include broadband internet access service revenues. The current methodology is unsustainable, the report argues. The “USForward” report, from Carol Mattey, founder of Mattey Consulting…
A group of three U.S. Senators has introduced the Funding Affordable Internet with Reliable (FAIR) Contributions Act. The FAIR Act would direct the FCC to study expanding the base of contributors to the USF fund. It’s not a new idea…
Small rural carriers that receive Universal Service Fund (USF) support through the traditional high-cost program will breathe a little easier now that the FCC has adopted an order that adjusts a key budget constraint for the high-cost program. The order…
USAC has revised its search tool for Universal Service Fund (USF) high-cost program disbursements. The goal is to be more user friendly and make it easier for users to access details about total dollar amounts carriers have received through the…
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