As noted in our prior update, in November 2014, the FCC Wireline Competition Bureau issued a Public Notice requesting industry comment on a Petition filed by TracFone Wireless regarding 911 fees charged to Lifeline...more
Late last week, USAC announced an extension of the application deadline for Funding Year 2015 (July 1, 2015-June 30, 2015). FCC Form 471 applications must be submitted on or before 11:59:59 pm EDT on Thursday, April 16, 2015....more
Section 254(d) of the Act requires providers of “telecommunications services” to contribute to the federal Universal Service Fund (USF), which is used to subsidize telephone and broadband service in high-cost areas, for...more
On a party-line 3-2 vote, the FCC on February 26, 2015, approved new Open Internet (or Net Neutrality) rules, although it has not released the text of its actual ruling. Based on an FCC press release and a written statement...more
On December 19, the FCC released the text of its Second Report and Order in its E-rate modernization proceeding. The new Order increased the annual spending cap on the E-rate program by an additional $1.5 billion—taking the...more
Last Thursday, July 24, the FCC issued the 176-page text of its E-rate Modernization Order (“Order”), which it adopted on July 11 in a sharply divided and partisan 3-2 vote. The Order includes a Further Notice of Proposed...more
FCC Chairman Wheeler posted a blog entry today on the agency’s website emphasizing the need to change its E-rate rules before the next e-rate funding year in order to encourage the deployment of Wi-Fi to the nation’s schools...more
Late last Friday, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau released an Order rescinding prior guidance that permitted E-rate applicants to request full funding for certain bundles that included service or equipment components...more
The Department of Health and Human Services released its annual update of the federal poverty guidelines (“FPG”) for 2014. This updates the income levels used to qualify applicants for Lifeline-supported service, although...more
On July 23, 2013, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the 175-page text of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to transform the Schools and Libraries component of its Universal Service program—more commonly known...more