The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard argument on an important case that has the potential to upend a significant source of technology funding for school systems throughout the country. The FCC v. Consumers’ Research case,...more
Olivia Trusty, nominee for the open Republican Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) Commissioner position, appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Trusty has...more
Last week, the Supreme Court held oral argument in Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers’ Research. The case addresses the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund programs aimed at providing...more
Last Friday, in Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Heath, the Supreme Court unanimously held that requests for funding from the FCC’s E-rate program are “claims” for purposes of the False Claims Act (FCA), settling...more
Broadband and telecommunications service providers should redouble efforts to comply with the rules of the FCC's "E-Rate" program that subsidizes service to schools and libraries as a result of a Supreme Court ruling that...more
On December 13, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced significant updates to its Mapping Broadband Health in America platform. This enhanced tool, now incorporating a range of new health metrics, aims to...more
A bipartisan coalition of 22 AGs and the Maine Office of the Public Advocate filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in consolidated cases FCC v. Consumers’ Research (No. 24-354) and Schools, Health & Libraries...more
The 2024 election is over and Republicans are poised in January to take over Washington, D.C.—in the White House, on the Hill, at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and at other agencies (the National...more
As the Trump administration prepares to return to power in 2025, the communications and technology sectors are bracing for significant regulatory shifts, with experts predicting major changes in areas ranging from spectrum...more
For decades, there has been broad, bipartisan support for the Universal Service Fund and the FCC programs that help communications reach low-income households and the most rural and least-connected communities in the United...more
The 2024 election cycle, one of the longest and most contentious in U.S. history, will culminate Election Day on November 5. However, many aspects of the election are expected to be close and uncertainty may reign for some...more
Just how broad is the scope of the False Claims Act (FCA)? That is the basic question posed in Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. U.S. ex rel. Heath, No. 23-1127. Put more directly, the case addresses whether reimbursement requests...more
In July, the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit found the FCC’s Universal Service Fund (USF) to violate the Constitution in several ways. This decision reversed an earlier decision by a panel of the court...more
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently ruled in a closely divided 9-7 en banc decision that the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) method of funding the Universal Service Fund (USF) is an...more
RECENT NEWS - General - On March 2, 2024, in the School and Libraries docket, CC Docket No. 02-6, in the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program docket, WC Docket No. 21-93, in the Contribution Methodology docket, WC...more
The Fifth and D.C. Circuit federal appellate courts are now poised to issue pivotal decisions in the ongoing litigation challenging the constitutionality of the FCC’s universal service support mechanisms. Their opinions will...more
Lifeline/ Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) - On February 29, 2024, the FCC announced in a News Release the results of a survey of ACP participants. The survey found that 68% of respondents had inconsistent...more
General - • On August 24, 2023, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) issued a Public Notice (DA 23-753) seeking nominations for six positions on the Board of Directors for the Universal Service Administrative Company...more
Lifeline / Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) - On July 27, 2023, in an Order (DA 23-641), the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) sought comments on a petition from the Osage Nation seeking designation as an Eligible...more
The legal battles over the constitutionality of Universal Service Fund (USF) contributions continue as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has granted a request for the full court to re-hear a challenge to the...more
General - On June 16, 2023, in a News Release, Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced the circulation of an order among Commissioners that would create the Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) program to...more
Lifeline / Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) - On May 30, 2023, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB), in an Order (DA 23-460) on its own motion, granted a limited, one-time waiver to a number of Lifeline subscribers...more
While no one is likely to bemoan the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s or Commission’s) May 30, 2023, Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) to vacate the 2015 Forfeiture Policy Statement that had adopted a methodology...more
Lifeline / Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) - • On April 28, 2023, Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) announced the annual recertification for Lifeline subscribers. Starting May 1, 2023, and continuing...more