Washington Watch 04/17/2014
| April 17, 2014 | |
Contents
FCC Open Meeting
FCC Issues Agenda for April 23 Open Meeting
Separations
NECA, Rural Associations Support Separations Freeze Extension, Window to Unfreeze
GVNW Files Comments Supporting Separations Freeze Extension
USF/ICC Transformation Order
Competitive Carriers Seek Pause of Phase-Down of Wireless Support
IP Transition
Sunset Digital Files Reply on Rural Broadband Experiments
Universal Service
TIA and ADTRAN Discuss E-rate Modernization
American Library Association Discusses E-rate Modernization
LEAD Commission Discusses E-rate Modernization
FCC Open MeetingFCC Issues Agenda for April 23 Open Meeting The FCC issued the agenda for its April 23, 2014 Open Meeting. The Commission will consider a Report and Order, Declaratory Ruling, Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order, and Seventh Order on Reconsideration of the USF/ICC Transformation Order, and an FNPRM proposing measures to update and further implement the framework adopted by the Commission in 2011. The Commission will also consider an FNPRM that would make up to 150 megahertz of spectrum available for wireless broadband use in the 3550-3700 MHz band, and hear five applications for FM broadcast station permits presented as consent agenda items.SeparationsNECA, Rural Associations Support Separations Freeze Extension, Window to Unfreeze NECA, NTCA, ITTA, ERTA and WTA filed comments on April 16, 2014, supporting the FCC’s FNPRM proposing to extend, until June 30, 2017, the current freeze of Part 36 category relationships and jurisdictional cost allocation factors, and open a window for rate-of-return ILECs to file petitions to unfreeze their cost category relationships. The Associations also suggested RLECs be given the opportunity to refreeze those relationships after they have been re-categorized, and asked the Commission to provide individual carriers and NECA sufficient time to reflect such categorization changes in their access rates and related data submissions. FR GVNW Files Comments Supporting Separations Freeze Extension GVNW filed comments on April 16, 2014, supporting the FCC’s FNPRM proposing to extend, until June 30, 2017, the current freeze of Part 36 category relationships and jurisdictional cost allocation factors and open a window for rate-of-return ILECs to file petitions to unfreeze their cost category relationships. GVNW also supports the states’ ability to allocate costs between state and interstate jurisdictions, with the understanding that this will not result in intrastate costs being re-allocated to interstate unless there is a provision in the interstate jurisdiction to recover these costs. GVNW notes the opportunity to update frozen separations factors would require adjustments to the eligible recovery base for interstate traffic sensitive recovery.USF/ICC Transformation OrderCompetitive Carriers Seek Pause of Phase-Down of Wireless Support The Competitive Carriers Association sent a letter to Chairman Wheeler on April 15, 2014, asking him to enforce the Commission’s prior decision to pause the phase-down of legacy support for wireless providers at 60 percent on June 30, 2014, until the Mobility Fund II is operational and to eliminate the discriminatory right-of-first-refusal for price-cap carriers in the CAF Phase II. CCA said if the RoFR is not eliminated, the FCC should prohibit price-cap carriers who decline the RoFR from having a second chance at competing for the funding as wireless providers. CCA said as voice and broadband customers continue to migrate to wireless platforms, the continued evisceration of USF support for wireless providers will exacerbate the growing digital divide between urban and rural areas, putting rural consumers at risk of receiving lower-quality and less affordable services. CCA also met with Chairman Wheeler and Commissioners Clyburn, O’Rielly and Pai’s staff on April 11 and 14, 2014, to discuss the same issues.IP TransitionSunset Digital Files Reply on Rural Broadband Experiments In addition to reply comments listed in previous editions of Washington Watch, Sunset Digital Communications filed a reply on April 14, 2014, on the FNPRM proposing rural broadband experiments. Sunset said in 2003 it launched a FTTH rural broadband experiment in the Appalachian Mountains, and expressed support for the Fiber to the Home Council Americas’ recommendation that the Commission rely on three criteria when selecting experiments: cost effectiveness; deployment of robust, scalable networks; and the overall reasonableness of the business case. List of all replies filedUniversal ServiceTIA and ADTRAN Discuss E-rate Modernization The Telecommunications Industry Association and ADTRAN met with Wireline Competition Bureau staff on April 11, 2014, to discuss modernization of the E-rate program for schools and libraries. TIA encouraged the Commission to take a “Whole Network” funding approach when modernizing the program, to consider the density of devices and users when allocating funding, and cautioned the Commission on the issues arising from pitting “Into Broadband Connections” against “Inside Broadband Connections.” TIA also encouraged the Commission to adopt a more efficient, meaningful matching requirement to improve cost effectiveness for participating schools and libraries. ADTRAN discussed its involvement with broadband development for E-rate qualified institutions, and discussed areas where E-rate funding could be more efficiently allocated. American Library Association Discusses E-rate Modernization The American Library Association met with Wireline Competition Bureau, Office of the Managing Director, and Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis staff on April 11, 2014, to discuss E-rate modernization. ALA proposed that the Commission designate a portion of the $2 billion down payment to ensuring library LAN and WiFi networks are sufficient for both public access computers and the increasing proliferation of patron-owned devices. ALA also proposed focusing a significant portion of the down payment on demonstration projects that yield a two-for one benefit for the Commission’s investment. LEAD Commission Discusses E-rate Modernization Blair Levin, on behalf of the LEAD Commission, met with Chairman Wheeler on April 14, 2014, to discuss the implications of EducationSuperHighway’s recent study of E-rate recipients’ telecommunications and broadband spending. He also reiterated the LEAD Commission’s position that it is critical to modernize the E-rate program to enable more efficient buying of bandwidth and to ensure the availability of funds for internal connections.Editor: Teresa Evert | Assistant Editor: Shawn O'Brien |
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