by Pivot
Tag: USF
CenturyLink Turns to Fixed Wireless to Meet CAF II Deadlines
CenturyLink told the FCC last week that it expects to meet its Connect America Fund CAF II deployment deadlines. Using fixed wireless in some areas may be key to meeting that goal, according to a…
After Challenges, FCC Releases Revised RDOF Eligible Area List, Identifies 5.3 Million RDOF Eligible Locations
The FCC yesterday released a revised list of areas eligible for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund RDOF auction scheduled to begin in October. The commission initially released a preliminary list of eligible areas in March,…
Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act Proposes $100 Billion for Broadband
The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday, would make over $100 billion available for broadband initiatives. The majority of the funding — $80 billion – would go toward…
Rural Broadband Bills Aplenty – Here’s a List of Them
The COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders have awakened Americans to the digital divide and the lack of high-speed broadband in some rural areas. Legislators have a wide range of ideas about how to address this,…
RCAP Act Would Direct 10% of Auction Proceeds to Rural Broadband, Could Equate to Billions in New Funding
The Rural Connectivity Advancement Program (RCAP) Act, introduced by Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) would direct 10% of proceeds from upcoming wireless spectrum auctions to rural broadband. Auctions involved would be those occurring through September…
Calls for Eliminating ETC Certification Requirement for USF and Rural Broadband Funding Gaining Traction
The Expanding Opportunities for Broadband Deployment Act introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this month would eliminate the requirement that network operators must be certified as eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) in the states for…
FCC Awards $238 Million for Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands Wireless, Portions Target 5G
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today authorized a three-year funding plan to spend $237.9 million in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to expand, improve and harden mobile wireless broadband networks in Puerto Rico…
Behind the FCC MagicJack $5 Million Settlement
VoIP service provider magicJack VocalTec has agreed to a $5 million settlement with the FCC involving contributions to the Universal service Fund. According to an FCC press release, MagicJack also agreed to “an extensive compliance…
State AGs Recommend COVID-19 Broadband Funding
Any new COVID-19 relief package should include funding for broadband, said attorneys general from 31 states, three U.S. territories and the District of Columbia in a letter to House and Senate leadership late last week.…
Satellite Broadband Dealt a Blow as FCC Poised to Restrict Satellite to Lower RDOF Speed and Higher Latency Tiers
The FCC is getting set to restrict satellite broadband providers to lower-speed broadband and higher latency tiers in the RDOF (Rural Digital Opportunity Fund) auction scheduled to begin October 29. RDOF speed tiers will be…
FCC Authorizes $7.5 Million in CAF II Rural Broadband Funding
The FCC has authorized CAF II funding for six more network operators. The six operators will share $7.5 million, which will go toward the cost of making broadband available to 3,100 unserved locations in seven…
Report: Expanding USF Contribution Base Wouldn’t Hurt Broadband Adoption
Just one day after lawmakers introduced a bill aimed at expanding the USF (Universal Service Fund) contribution base to include broadband as well as voice revenues, a new report argues that the proposed change would…