Washington Watch 12/03/2013
| December 3, 2013 | |
Contents
USF/ICC Transformation Order
FCC Publishes Online Map of Study Area Boundaries
ACS Files Application for Review of CAF Phase II Service Obligations Order
Paper Assesses USF/ICC Transformation Order
FCC Seeks Comments on Connect America Cost Model v4.0
Fidelity Responds to AT&T, CenturyLink Replies to Census Blocks Challenges
IP Transition
Chairman Wheeler Publishes eBook on Impact of Network Revolution
Chairman Wheeler Gives Speech on FCC Role in Network Revolution
IIA Asks FCC to Supplement IP Transition Record With Regulatory Framework Report
Puerto Rico Broadband Task Force Requests Special Consideration in IP Transition
Universal Service
USAC Files Federal USF Support Mechanisms Quarterly Contribution Base for First Quarter 2014
COMPTEL Comments on Request for Review of USAC Decision on Private Line Revenues
Relay Services
FCC Reaffirms Customer Information Confidentiality Requirements for IP CTS Providers
USF/ICC Transformation OrderFCC Publishes Online Map of Study Area Boundaries The Wireline Competition Bureau issued a Public Notice on December 2, 2013, announcing the availability of an online, publicly-accessible map of the study area boundaries ILECs and certain state public utility commissions submitted in May and June 2013. The Bureau encourages all ILECs to review the map, resolve any overlaps and voids with neighboring ILECs, and resubmit data based on any boundary modifications agreed to by the relevant parties. The Bureau also recommended state commissions review the map in order to modify their data submissions. The Bureau said filers choosing to alter previously submitted boundaries should submit and certify revised study area boundary data by January 13, 2014. ACS Files Application for Review of CAF Phase II Service Obligations Order ACS filed an Application for Review on November 26, 2013, of paragraph 41 of the Order specifying the service obligations of price cap carriers that accept CAF Phase II model-based support through the state-level commitment process. ACS requested the FCC reverse or, in the alternative, stay the Bureau’s statement in paragraph 41 that it would entertain challenges that a census block is served by an unsubsidized competitor from any CETC that meets or exceeds the performance obligations established by that Order and whose high-cost support is scheduled to be eliminated during the five-year term of Phase II. Oppositions are due December 11; replies due December 23. Public Notice Paper Assesses USF/ICC Transformation Order The Rural Broadband Alliance announced on December 2, 2013, Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Kathleen Wallman authored a white paper entitled A Framework to Assess the FCC’s 2011 Report and Order on Universal Service and Intercarrier Compensation. The paper provides “a framework to assess the successes or shortcomings” of the Transformation Order. The paper finds that the 2011 Report and Order and the rules adopted under it do not follow closely the statutory principles of universal service, and that the Commission could have adopted, as it promised to adopt, and is required by law to adopt, clear benchmarks to evaluate the 2011 Report and Order going forward. The paper was partially underwritten by a grant from the Rural Broadband Alliance. FCC Seeks Comments on Connect America Cost Model v4.0 The Wireline Competition Bureau issued a Public Notice on December 2, 2013, seeking comment on version four of the Connect America Cost Model and the default inputs for purposes of calculating costs in price cap areas for implementing CAF Phase II. Version 4.0 includes modifications to address the unique circumstances and operating conditions in the noncontiguous areas of the United States. Comments are due January 7, 2014. Fidelity Responds to AT&T, CenturyLink Replies to Census Blocks Challenges Fidelity Communications filed a letter on December 2, 2013, to respond to replies filed by AT&T and CenturyLink on its challenges to CAF Phase I census block lists. In response to AT&T’s reply, Fidelity attached a declaration from its corporate secretary stating Fidelity’s Vice President is in fact an officer. Fidelity also asserted by failing to respond, CenturyLink concedes to its challenge on two census blocks, and claims CenturyLink does not offer any affirmative evidence to contradict Fidelity statements on the remaining six census blocks.IP TransitionChairman Wheeler Publishes eBook on Impact of Network Revolution FCC Chairman Wheeler has published a free eBook entitled Net Effects: The Past, Present and Future Impact of our Networks. The book states this network revolution defines virtually all aspects of the current economy and places even greater importance on the role Congress has given the FCC to protect “the public interest, convenience, and necessity” of the nation’s networks. Chairman Wheeler claims, “We are at a crossroads in the evolution of digital networks. The FCC must play the crucial role of facilitating more dynamic, world-leading change to ensure that the gains of the last several decades are dwarfed by the wonders of the years to come. At the same time, the Commission must also safeguard, nurture and project into the future the enduring civic values that networks have historically embodied.” Chairman Wheeler Gives Speech on FCC Role in Network Revolution FCC Chairman Wheeler spoke at Ohio State University on December 2, 2013, discussing the FCC’s role in tackling the challenges and seizing the opportunities of the ongoing network revolution and the FCC’s commitment to protecting the public interest. Wheeler said the FCC is improving the universal service programs by modernizing a program originally conceived to deliver plain old telephone service into programs to ensure broadband access to all Americans. IIA Asks FCC to Supplement IP Transition Record With Regulatory Framework Report The International Internet Alliance filed a letter on November 29, 2013, attaching an IIA-commissioned report entitled Telecommunications Competition: The Infrastructure-Investment Race that examines the existing regulatory framework’s impact on the communications marketplace. IIA claims the IP transition could be accelerated if incumbents obtain deregulation so they can dedicate their capital expenditures to state-of-the-art networks, noting these companies spent $154 billion on their networks from 2006 through 2011, yet more than one half of that was for legacy networks that only 5 percent of consumers use. Puerto Rico Broadband Task Force Requests Special Consideration in IP Transition The Puerto Rico Broadband Taskforce filed a letter on December 2, 2013, requesting appropriate consideration for Puerto Rico by the FCC in its approach to facilitating transitions to IP-based technologies. PRBT said barriers to broadband availability can be overcome by preserving and promoting competitive options, and asked the FCC to preserve access to existing competitive broadband services through appropriate exceptions by delegating such decisions to the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulatory Board, which is more familiar with the Puerto Rican market.Universal ServiceUSAC Files Federal USF Support Mechanisms Quarterly Contribution Base for First Quarter 2014 USAC filed its Federal USF Support Mechanisms Quarterly Contribution Base on December 2, 2013, for the first quarter 2014. Projected revenues for first quarter are $16.2 billion, unchanged from fourth quarter 2013. COMPTEL Comments on Request for Review of USAC Decision on Private Line Revenues In addition to the comments listed in a previous edition of Washington Watch, COMPTEL filed comments on December 2, 2013, on Deltacom’s request for review and reversal of a USAC private line revenue audit finding. COMPTEL said the FCC should grant Deltacom’s request, claiming USAC misconstrued the Commission’s ten percent rule and exceeded the scope of its authority. Replies are due December 17. Public NoticeRelay ServicesFCC Reaffirms Customer Information Confidentiality Requirements for IP CTS Providers The Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau released a Public Notice on December 2, 2013, reaffirming that under FCC regulations, IP CTS providers must maintain the confidentiality of the personal information obtained from consumers through their registration and certification.Editor: Teresa Evert | Assistant Editor: Shawn O'Brien |
|
