by Pivot
Tag: USF
How to Ensure Success in the Next Phase of Broadband Performance Measures Testing
Complying with the USAC’s requirements can be stressful. However, being non-compliant during the pre-testing phase isn’t the end of the world. In fact – it’s part of the process in most providers’ deployment journeys. As…
Report Makes a Case for Expanding USF Contribution Base to Include Broadband
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…
Windstream CEO: Industry Should Not Repeat RDOF Mess, USF Reform Needed
Windstream CEO Tony Thomas addressed the fiber broadband industry today at Fiber Connect, taking place in Nashville. With a theme of Windstream’s growing broadband ambitions, Thomas also revealed he’s no fan of the RDOF program…
FAIR Act Would Task FCC with Studying if Netflix, Google, Others Should Pay into USF
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.…
FCC Connected Care Pilot Guidelines, Projects Announced
The FCC late last week approved a Report and Order that provides guidance on the $100 million Connected Care Pilot Program. In addition the commission voted to approve 36 FCC Connected Care projects totaling more…
FCC Adjusts USF Budget Constraint, Citing COVID Concerns
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…
RCAP Act of 2021 Would Direct Spectrum Auction Proceeds To Rural Broadband
The Rural Connectivity Advancement Program (RCAP) Act of 2021 introduced in the Senate yesterday would direct 10% of revenues raised in FCC spectrum auctions toward rural broadband. If adopted, the bill would create a Rural…
USF High Cost Search Tool Upgraded
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…
FCC Commissioner Wants Big Tech to Contribute to USF, Help Fund Universal Broadband
Big Tech companies such as Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google should help fund the cost of providing broadband to all Americans, argues FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr in an opinion piece in Newsweek published today.…
USAC Updates CAF Broadband Map
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) has released version 4.0 of the Connect America Fund Broadband Map (CAF Map). The organization says that the goal of the map is to illustrate the impact of the…
Deloitte Finds Positive Broadband Economic Impact, Questions Subsidy Programs
A new report from consulting firm Deloitte found a strong positive broadband economic impact but questions current subsidy programs. Those programs should not aim for overly ambitious and more costly broadband speeds because doing so…
New York Mandates $15 Low-Income Broadband Service
The State of New York has mandated that broadband service providers offer a $15 broadband service tier to low-income households. The mandate was included in the state’s budget authorization bill, and service providers have 60…
