Cybertelecom Federal Internet Law & Policy An Educational Project

Universal Service Proceedings

Merger Conditions

• AT&T / DirecTV 2014: The Commission accordingly requires as a condition of the merger that AT&T-DIRECTV make available an affordable, low-price standalone broadband service to low-income consumers in its broadband service area.
• AT&T / Bell South 2007: Promoting accessibility to broadband services: "Within six months of the Merger Closing Date, and continuing for at least 30 months from the inception of the offer, AT&T/BellSouth will offer to retail consumers in the Wireline Buildout Area, who have not previously subscribed to AT&T’s or BellSouth’s ADSL service, a broadband Internet access service at a speed of up to 768 Kbps at a monthly rate (exclusive of any applicable taxes and regulatory fees) of $10 per month"

Federal Activities

• Released: 03/02/2017. WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION CONCERNING LIFELINE BROADBAND PROVIDERS. (DA No. 17-213). (Dkt No 11-42 09-197 ). Comments Due: 03/16/2017. Reply Comments Due: 03/23/2017. WCB .  DA-17-213A1.docx  DA-17-213A1.pdf  
  • Coalition Letter seeking FCC Reconsideration of Lifeline Broadband Providers Decision 2/23/17
•  CONNECT AMERICA FUND; RURAL BROADBAND EXPERIMENTS.   Addresses several challenges to the rural broadband experiments post-selection requirements. (Dkt No.  10-90 14-259 ). Action by:  Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau. Adopted:  08/15/2016 by ORDER. (DA No. 16-926).  WCB  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-16-926A1.docx
  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-16-926A1.pdf
• FCC MODERNIZES LIFELINE PROGRAM FOR THE DIGITAL AGE.   New Rules Will Help Make Broadband More Affordable for Low-Income Americans.  News Release. Adopted:  03/31/2016. News WCB  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338676A1.docx
  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338676A2.docx
  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338676A3.docx
  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338676A1.pdf
  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338676A2.pdf
  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338676A3.pdf

• FCC MOVES TO EXPAND RURAL BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT BY MODERNIZING AND REFORMING UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT FOR SMALL CARRIERS.  News Release. News WCB  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338664A1.docx
  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-338664A1.pdf
• DATA RELATED TO UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND INTERCARRIER COMPENSATION REFORM. Requested data related to universal service and intercarrier compensation reform. (Dkt No.  10-90 01-92 05-337 07-135 09-51 ). Action by:  Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau by LETTER. (DA No. 11-575).  WCB TXT
• NTIA's Universal Service Guide
• ⁶ Department of Commerce, Inquiry on Universal Service and Open Access Issues, 59 F.R. 48112 para. 1 (1994).

Connect America

• FCC INCREASES RURAL BROADBAND SPEEDS UNDER CONNECT AMERICA FUND.   Rural Consumers Must Receive Broadband Delivering At Least 10 Mbps Downloads, 1 Mbps Uploads from Providers Who Benefit from Connect America Support.  News Release. (Dkt No 10-90 ). Adopted:  12/11/2014.  WCB  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-330989A1.docx
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• Released:  01/22/2013.  COMMENT CYCLE ESTABLISHED FOR BUREAU'S PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING CONNECT AMERICA PHASE II. (DA No.  13-80). (Dkt No 10-90 ). Comments Due:  02/19/2013. Reply Comments Due:  03/04/2013.  WCB . Contact:  Ryan Yates at 0886, email: Ryan.Yates http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-80A1.doc
  http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-80A1.pdf
  http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-80A1.txt
• FCC RELEASES NEW, INTERACTIVE MAP ILLUSTRATING STATES SET TO RECEIVE 'CONNECT AMERICA FUND' SUPPORT TO BRING 400,000 AMERICANS HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND.  News Release.  OCHJG  
  TXT
•  FCC KICKS-OFF 'CONNECT AMERICA FUND' WITH MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: NEARLY 400,000 UNSERVED AMERICANS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN 37 STATES WILL GAIN ACCESS TO HIGH-SPEED INTERNET WITHIN THREE YEARS.   Marks beginning of most significant public-private effort in history to connect 19 million unserved rural homes and businesses by 2020.  News Release. TXT
• CONNECT AMERICA FUND, A NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE, ESTABLISHING JUST AND REASONABLE RATES FOR LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS, HIGH COST UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT, ET AL.   Clarified certain rules relating to Phase I of the Connect America Fund in order to assist the price cap carriers that shortly will be making their election to accept additional funding to spur broadband deployment. (Dkt No.  10-90 01-92 10-208 96-45 05-337 07-135 03-109 09-51 ). Action by:  Acting Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau. Adopted:  07/18/2012 by ORDER. (DA No. 12-1155).  WCB
  TXT
• CONNECT AMERICA FUND, UNIVERSAL SERVICE REFORM - MOBILITY FUND.   Reconsidered certain aspects of the USF/ICC Transformation Order in response to various petitions for reconsideration. by 4th Order on Reconsideration. (Dkt No.  10-90 01-92 10-208 96-45 05-337 07-135 03-109 09-51 ). Action by:  the Commission. Adopted:  07/18/2012 by Order on Reconsideration. (FCC No. 12-82).  WTB TXT 
  
• CONNECT AMERICA FUND, A NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE, ET. AL. Reconsidered and clarified certain aspects of the USF/ICC Transformation Order in response to various petitions for reconsideration and/or clarification. by Third Order On Reconsideration. (Dkt No. 10-90 01-92 10-208 96-45 05-337 07-135 03-109 09-51 ). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 05/14/2012 by Order on Reconsideration. (FCC No. 12-52). WCB TXT
• ERRATUM - CONNECT AMERICA FUND; A NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE, ET AL. Issued an Erratum correcting Order, DA 12-147, released February 3, 2012. (Dkt No. 10-90 10-208 09-51 96-45 07-135 05-337 03-109 01-92 ). Action by: Chiefs, Wireline Competition Bureau and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau by ERRATUM. WCB WTB TXT
• CONNECT AMERICA FUND/HIGH-COST UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT. Adopted a Protective Order in this proceeding. by 2nd Protective Order. (Dkt No. 10-90 05-337 ). Action by: Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau. Adopted: 02/10/2012 by Protective Order. (DA No. 12-192). WCB TXT
• Released: 03/06/2012. COMMENT AND REPLY COMMENT DATES ESTABLISHED FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICE LIFELINE FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING. (DA No. 12-344). (Dkt No 12-23 11-42 96-45 03-109 ). Comments Due: 04/02/2012. Reply Comments Due: 05/01/2012. WCB . TXT
• CONNECT AMERICA FUND/HIGH-COST UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT. Adopted a Protective Order in this proceeding. by 2nd Supplemental Protective Order. (Dkt No. 10-90 05-337 ). Action by: Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau. Adopted: 02/10/2012 by Protective Order. (DA No. 12-193). WCB TXT
• FEDERAL-STATE JOINT BOARD ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE/APPLICATIONS FOR REVIEW OF RCC HOLDINGS, INC. DESIGNATION AS AN ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, ET AL. Denied the Applications for Review. Affirmed the RCC Holdings, Cellular South, and Nextel Orders. (Dkt No. 96-45 ). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 02/07/2012 by MO&O. (FCC No. 12-17). WCB TXT
• CONNECT AMERICA FUND, A NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE, ET AL..
• FCC RELEASES "CONNECT AMERICA FUND" ORDER TO HELP EXPAND BROADBAND, CREATE JOBS, BENEFIT CONSUMERS.   Sweeping reforms will modernize U.S. communications infrastructure and expand broadband to 18 million unserved Americans throughout the nation.  News Release. News Media WTB WCB . Contact Neil Grace at 1032 ,email: Neil.Grace
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• Washington, D.C. - The Federal Communications Commission has released its comprehensive reforms to expand access to high-speed Internet and voice services nationwide and benefit consumers by accelerating deployment of modern communications networks. Adopted unanimously late last month, the overhaul transforms the FCC's outdated universal service and intercarrier compensations systems into a new Connect America Fund, or CAF, representing the most significant policy step ever taken to connect all Americans to broadband.

  The CAF-with an annual budget set at no more than $4.5 billion, the same as the current universal service funding level-is expected to help connect 7 million Americans to high-speed Internet and voice in rural America over the next six years, generating approximately 500,000 jobs and $50 billion in economic growth over this period. Main Street businesses across the country will benefit from the opportunity to sell to new customers throughout the U.S.

  The Order adopted by the FCC recognizes the growing importance of mobile broadband and makes it an independent universal service objective for the first time. Dedicated support to expand mobile broadband nationwide to tens of thousands of road miles where millions of Americans live, work, and travel will be provided through a new Mobility Fund.

  The Order also phases down antiquated, opaque, regulated charges for the exchange of voice traffic among carriers-known as intercarrier compensation-and transitions to a simplified, uniform "bill-and-keep" framework, which removes hidden subsidies on consumers' bills, increases efficiency, and eliminates impediments to the deployment of modern networks. Intercarrier compensation reform will provide benefits to all Americans through improved service and lower costs.

  The Connect America Fund will put America on the path to universal broadband and advanced mobile coverage without increasing costs. By eliminating waste and targeting support where it is most needed, these reforms keep universal service funding on a firm budget, and they will ensure rigorous accountability for Fund recipients.

  The full Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking includes an executive summary highlighting key reforms. The rules adopted as part of these reforms should take effect by January 1, 2012.

• CONNECT AMERICA FUND, A NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE, ESTABLISHING JUST AND REASONABLE RATES FOR LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS, HIGH-COST UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT ET AL.   Extended page limit requirements for Petitions for Reconsideration, Oppositions, and Replies. (Dkt No.  10-90 01-92 10-208 96-45 05-337 07-135 03-109 09-51 ). Action by:  Chiefs, Wireline Competition Bureau & Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Adopted:  12/23/2011 by ORDER. (DA No. 11-2063).  WCB WTB TXT  
• CONNECT AMERICA FUND, A NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE, ESTABLISHING JUST AND REASONABLE RATES FOR LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS, HIGH COST UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT ET AL.   Modified on its own motion two aspects of the USF/ICC Transformation Order. (Dkt No.  10-90 01-92 10-208 96-45 05-337 07-135 03-109 09-51 ). Action by:  the Commission. Adopted:  12/23/2011 by Order on Reconsideration. (FCC No. 11-189).  WCB TXT 
  
• CONNECT AMERICA FUND; A NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE; ESTABLISHING JUST AND REASONABLE RATES FOR LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS; HIGH-COST UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT; DEVELOPING AN UNIFIED INTERCARRIER COMPENSATION REGIME; FEDERAL-STATE JOINT BOARD.   Today the Commission comprehensively reforms and modernizes the universal service and intercarrier compensation systems to ensure that robust, affordable voice and broadband service, both fixed and mobile, are available to Americans throughout the nation. (Dkt No.  10-90 01-92 10-208 96-45 05-337 07-135 03-109 09-51 ). Action by:  the Commission. Adopted:  10/27/2011 by R&O. (FCC No. 11-161).  WCB WTB Comments Due: 01/18/2012. Reply Comments Due:  02/17/2012.
  http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/ edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC- 11-161A1.doc
  http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/ edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC- 11-161A2.doc
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• FCC CHAIRMAN GENACHOWSKI UNVEILS 'CONNECT AMERICA FUND' PROPOSAL TO REFORM AND MODERNIZE THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND & INTERCARRIER COMPENSATION SYSTEM.   Proposal would help bring consumer benefits of broadband to 18 million Americans who are currently denied access to full economic and social participation; Unleashing opportunity, innovation, and job creation for all Americans.  News Release. News TXT
  
• The FCC proposed to modernize and streamline its universal service and intercarrier compensation policies to bring affordable wired and wireless broadband - and the jobs and investment they spur - to all Americans while combating waste and inefficiency. (Dkt No.  10-90 05-337 07-135 09-51 ). Action by:  the Commission. Adopted:  02/08/2011 by NPRM. (FCC No. 11-13).  WCB
• Federal Register on March 2, 2011 .
  Comments Due for Section XV:  April 1, 2011
  Reply Comments Due for Section XV:  April 18, 2011
  Comments Due for Remaining Sections:  April 18, 2011
  Comments Due for State Members of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service:  May 2, 2011
  Reply Comments Due for Remaining Sections:  May 23, 2011
• http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-11-13A1.doc
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• News Release (2/8/11): Word | Acrobat The Federal Communications Commission today proposed to modernize and streamline its universal service and intercarrier compensation policies to bring affordable wired and wireless broadband - and the jobs and investment they spur - to all Americans while combating waste and inefficiency.

  A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted by the FCC outlines a path to transforming programs that are currently focused on 20 th Century voice service into a streamlined, efficient Connect America Fund that would help make 21st Century broadband available and affordable to rural communities.

  Ubiquitous broadband infrastructure has become crucial to our nation's economic development and civic life. Businesses need broadband to start and grow, adults need broadband to find jobs, and children need broadband to learn. The distance-conquering benefits of broadband can be even more important in America's remote rural and insular areas and Tribal lands.

  But the FCC's primary tools for meeting the great infrastructure challenge of our time - bringing robust affordable broadband to all Americans - are locked in the last century. The Universal Service Fund (USF), which helped connect rural America to telephone service, fails to effectively and efficiently target support for broadband in rural areas. USF has also become wasteful and inefficient in some situations, paying over $20,000 a year - nearly $2,000 per month - in support per line for some households, while providing little or no support in other communities that lack broadband.

  USF is intertwined with the complex system of payments between carriers called intercarrier compensation (ICC). The system is rooted in outdated distinctions between local and long-distance telephone service, and inefficient per-minute charges. ICC also suffers from loopholes that distort markets and derail investment in advanced Internet Protocol (IP) networks.

  Building on recommendations contained in the FCC's National Broadband Plan and extensive input from a wide array of stakeholders, the NPRM proposes four key principles to guide reform:

  • Modernizing USF and ICC To Support Broadband Networks . Modernize and refocus USF and ICC to make affordable broadband available to all Americans and accelerate the transition from circuit-switched to IP networks, with voice ultimately one of many applications running over fixed and mobile broadband networks.
  • Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility. Control the size of USF as it transitions to support broadband by combating waste and inefficiency. The Commission recognizes that American consumers and businesses ultimately pay for USF.
  • Demanding Accountability . Require accountability from companies receiving support, to ensure that public investments are used wisely to deliver intended results. Government must also be accountable for the administration of USF, including through clear goals and performance metrics for the program.
  • Enacting Market-Driven and Incentive-Based Policies. Transition to market-driven and incentive-based policies that encourage companies to maximize the impact of scarce program resources and the benefits to all consumers.

  The NPRM proposes immediate steps to cut waste, reward efficiency, and close loopholes. Long-term proposals call for simplifying and unifying USF into a single, streamlined Connect America Fund, and gradually eliminating per-minute intercarrier charges.

  During the process launched today, the FCC will hold a series of public workshops on key issues in its reform proposals. These workshops, in addition to submissions of written comment, will provide ample opportunity for public input to improve and refine the proposals in the NPRM as the Commission moves toward an Order on these issues..

  Specific proposals in the NPRM include:

  Eliminate waste and inefficiency throughout the current program.

  • Transition funding for duplicative phone service by multiple phone companies operating in the same area to provide support where it's most needed.
  • Impose reasonable limits and guidelines for reimbursement to providers that have little incentive under our current subsidy system to operate efficiently.
  • Review continued need for funding mechanisms that have not been reevaluated in many years.

Use savings to spur investment in high-speed Internet in unserved areas.

• Identify unserved areas using the forthcoming National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) national broadband map.
• Create the Connect America Fund to quickly and efficiently deliver support to unserved areas.
• Use market-based policies to support providers in a technology-neutral manner, targeting areas where broadband funding will have the biggest impact.
• Ultimately, streamline and consolidate the five separate Universal Service Fund programs that support rural phone networks into the Connect America Fund. This will constrain spending and bring fixed and mobile broadband to unserved areas while preserving voice service for all, creating jobs and fueling economic growth.

Stimulate investment in broadband by reforming the Intercarrier Compensation system.

• Eliminate wasteful billing disputes by closing loopholes and tightening rules to prevent "phantom traffic," which is traffic that has been disguised so it can't be identified for billing purposes.
• Amend rules to reduce "traffic pumping," a practice that drains revenues from the system by exploiting existing rules to earn more intercarrier compensation. Reclaimed revenues could be invested in networks or used to reduce prices for consumers.
• Gradually reduce per-minute Intercarrier Compensation charges. These charges create incentives for carriers to maintain legacy networks that maximize intercarrier revenues rather than investing in advanced, efficient IP-based infrastructure.
• Develop a system to offset reductions in intercarrier rates, including, where necessary, support from the Connect America Fund.

Increase accountability for recipients and for government, and more effectively measure program performance.

• Adopt clear performance goals and metrics for the Connect America Fund.
• Require increased disclosures about the operating performance and financial condition of companies that receive universal service support.
• Increase transparency, oversight, and accountability.

• SEPARATE STATEMENTS-  FCC PROPOSES MODERNIZING AND STREAMLINING UNIVERSAL SERVICE.   Statements of Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker.  News Release. Adopted:  02/08/2011 WCB   http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-304535A1.doc
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Universal Service Reform Docket 10-90. Comments Due 60+ Fed Reg; Replies Due 90 + Fed Reg. Comments can be filed at FCC ECFS. Learn about FCC Process.

Press Release: "The Federal Communications Commission today took its first step toward a once-in-a-generation transformation of the Universal Service Fund from supporting networks providing plain old telephone service into an effective and efficient tool for making affordable, high-quality broadband communications service available to all Americans.

"The National Broadband Plan that the Commission sent to Congress last month identified the need for comprehensive universal service reform that does not unnecessarily burden consumers. Today's Notice of Inquiry (NOI) and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) begin the hard work of implementing the Plan's recommendations, which include cutting inefficiencies in existing support of voice services and creating a Connect America Fund (CAF) that directly supports broadband without increasing the size of the Universal Service Fund over the current baseline projection.

"The NOI asks for public comment on the use of an economic model to precisely target support for areas where there is no private-sector business case for carriers to provide broadband and voice services. The economic model developed in the Plan estimates the gap between the cost of deploying broadband services to Americans living in unserved areas and the potential additional revenue generated from the broadband investment. The NOI seeks comment on how that model could be adapted to determine efficient levels of universal service support to provide all Americans with broadband access.

"The NOI also seeks comment on how to quickly provide consumers in unserved areas with broadband access while the Commission is considering final rules to implement fully the new CAF funding mechanism.

"The NPRM seeks comments on a number of proposals to cut legacy universal service spending in high-cost areas and to shift support to broadband communications. These proposals include capping the overall size of the high-cost program at 2010 levels; re-examining the current regulatory framework for smaller carriers in light of competition and growth in unregulated revenues; and phasing out support for multiple competitors in areas where the market cannot support even one provider.

Action by the Commission April 21 by Notice of Inquiry and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 10-58). Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn, and Baker. Separate statements issued by Chairman Genachowski, Copps, McDowell, Clyburn, and Baker.

4/21/10 FCC Kicks Off Universal Service Reform. News Release: NOI & NPRM:

• COMMENT CYCLES ESTABLISHED FOR COMMISSION'S NPRMS. (DA No. 08-499). (Dkt No 96-45, 05-337) Regarding the Identical Support Rule, the Use of Reverse Auctions to Set High-Cost Universal Service Support, and the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Serv, FCC 3/16/2008
• WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU EXTENDS NOMINATION DUE DATE FOR SEVEN BOARD MEMBER POSITIONS ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPANY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (DA No. 05-2821). (Dkt No 96-45 , 97-21). Comments Due: 11/01/2005., FCC 10/28/2005
• WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR SEVEN BOARD MEMBER POSITIONS ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPANY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (DA No. 05-2648). (Dkt No 96-45 , 97-21) Nominations Due: October 28, 2005. WCB. Contact: Sheryl Todd at 4, FCC 10/5/2005
• COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION, AND OVERSIGHT, ET AL. The FCC Launches Broad Inquiry Into Management and Oversight of Universal Service Fund. by FNPRM. (Dkt No. 96-45 , 97-21). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 06/09/2005 by NPRM. (FCC No. 05-124). WCB, FCC 6/29/2005
• Comprehensive Review of Universal Service Fund Management, Administration, and Oversight, Fed. Reg. 7/22/2005
• FCC Launches 'Inquiry' Into Universal Service Fund, AdvancedIPpipeline 6/15/2005
• FCC investigates phone, Net subsidy fund, CNET 6/15/2005
• FCC Launches Broad Inquiry Into Management and Oversight of Universal Service Fund., FCC 6/15/2005
• Released: 12/07/2004. WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPANY'S AUDIT RESOLUTION PLAN. (DA No. 04-3851). (Dkt No 02-6). Comments Due: 01/05/2005. Reply Comments Due: 01/20/2005. WCB. Contact: Karen Franklin at 7400 DA-04-3851A1.doc DA-04-3851A1.pdf DA-04-3851A2.pdf DA-04-3851A1.txt DA-04-3851A2.txt, FCC 12/10/2004
• Chairman Powell Issues Statement Concerning Universal Service Fund., FCC 12/7/2004
• SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT MECHANISM. Issued Erratum correcting Public Notice, DA 04-3851, released December 7, 2004. (Dkt No. 02-6). Action by: Deputy Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau by ERRATUM. WCB, FCC 12/21/2004
• CHAIRMAN POWELL PRAISES STRONG UNIVERSAL SERVICE ENFORCEMENT ACTION. STMT. Adopted: 10/28/2004. News Media Contact: David Fiske at 0513 EB, FCC 10/29/2004
• PREPARED TESTIMONY OF FCC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL K. POWELL ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION. OCH. Thursday, October 30, 2003, FCC 10/31/2003
• Universal Service ReformFCC TAKES NEXT STEP TO REFORM UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND CONTRIBUTION SYSTEM. Comments Sought on Connection-Based System to Provide Certainty, Reduce Administrative Costs and Avoid Marketplace Distortions. The FCC took further steps toward reform of the system for assessment and recovery of USF contributions. News Release. Adopted: 02/14/2002. News Media Contact: Michael Balmoris at 0253 CCB. Contact Paul Garnett at 7400  Comments due 4/22/02 Replies Due 5/13/02 Docket numbers 96-45, 98-171, 90-571, 92-237, 99-200, 95-116, 98-170 FCC 02-43
• FCC Initiates Proceeding to Reform Universal Service Fund Contribution System. References impact of IP Telephony. [ Text | Word97 | Acrobat ] Comments due June 25, 2001. Reply comments due July 9, 2001 Fed Reg Notice  More info on IP Telephony.
• IN THE MATTER OF FEDERAL-STATE JOINT BOARD ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE. Errata to FCC O2-329, Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. (Dkt No. 90-571, 92-237, 95-116, 96-45, 98-170, 98-171, 99-). Action by: Acting Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy Division by ERRATUM. (FCC No. 02-329). WCB DOC-229791A1.doc DOC-229791A1.pdf DOC-229791A1.txt, FCC 1/2/03
• FCC Adopts Interim Measures to Maintain Universal Service Fund., FCC 12/16/02
• IN THE MATTER OF FEDERAL-STATE JOINT BOARD ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE. The Joint Board recommends that the Commission retain the existing list of services supported by universal service. By Recommended Decision. (Dkt No. 96-45). Action by: the Federal State Joint Board. Adopted: 07/09/2002 by Decision. (FCC No. 02J-1). WCB, FCC 7/15/02
• ITAA Says Connection-based USF System Could Benefit ISPs - reply comments rebuts Bells on Access Charges demands, ITAA 5/22/02
• FEDERAL-STATE JOINT BOARD ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE. Seeks Comment on issues remanded by U.S. court of Appeals. Comment and Reply Comments due 30 and 45 days respectively from publication in the Federal Register. (Dkt No. 96-45). Action by: The Commission. Adopted: 02/13/2002 by NPRM. (FCC No. 02-41). CCB FCC-02-41A1.doc FCC-02-41A1.pdf FCC-02-41A1.txt
• Daily Digest FEDERAL-STATE JOINT BOARD ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE. Denied an appeal by Saint Jo Independent School district from a decision of the Schools and Libraries Division denying Saint Jo's application. Action by Acting Deputy Chief, Common Carrier Bureau. Adopted: August 2, 1999. by Order. (DA No. 99-1530). CCB
• REVIEW OF DECISION OF UNIVERSAL ADMINISTRATOR. Denied letter of appeal and affirmed the Schools and Libraries Division's denial of Lombard School District 44, Lombard, ILL, application for discounts for telecommunications services. Dkt No.: CC- 96-45. Action by Acting Deputy Chief, Common Carrier Bureau. Adopted: August 2, 1999. by Order. (DA No. 99-1528). CCB
• FEDERAL-STATE JOINT BOARD ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE. Denied a letter filed by Bruggemeyer Memorial Library which objects to a ruling by the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company disallowing the fax transmission of Bruggemeyer's FCC form 471 application. Dkt No.: CC- 96-45. Action by Acting Deputy Chief, Common Carrier Bureau. Adopted: August 2, 1999. by Order. (DA No. 99-1529). CCB
• FEDERAL-STATE JOINT BOARD ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE. Dismissed letter of appeal by the Balko Independent School District 75, seeking review of the Administrator's Decision on Appeal. Dkt No.: CC- 96-45. Action by Acting Deputy Chief, Common Carrier Bureau. Adopted: August 2, 1999. by Order. (DA No. 99-1531). CCB
• Released: July 15, 1998. COMMON CARRIER BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON ADMINISTRATION OF FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT MECHANISMS. (DA No. 98-1336). Dkt No.: 97-21, 96-45. Internet URL: Public Notice Text|Adobe
• COMMENTS DUE AUG 5,
• REPLIES DUE AUG. 12
• "On July 1, 1998, SLC, RHCC and USAC filed a Report and Proposed Plan of Reorganization (Plan) for revising the administrative structure of the federal universal service support mechanisms. RHCC filed a Separate Statement of the Rural Health Care Corporation and Request for Three Changes in the Plan (RHCC Statement), proposing certain modifications to the Plan. An executive summary of the Plan is attached hereto. In this Public Notice, we seek comment from interested parties on issues raised by the Plan and the RHCC Statement. We also seek comment on other issues regarding the administration of the federal universal service support mechanisms, including processes for Commission review of actions by USAC, RHCC and SLC, divestiture of USAC from the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), and compensation limitations."
• Letter from Chairman Kennard to the Schools and Libraries Corporation requesting that they complete certain actions before they issue any funding commitment letters to applicants for the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism. 7/16/98
• The Commission seeks comment on the Kentucky Department of Education's petition for waiver of the Commission's rules on aggregation for schools and libraries. 7/6/98.
• Universal Service Administrative Company Report and Plan of Reorganization. [Report | Kennard Statement] 7/2/98
• Chairman Kennard's 7/1/98 Statement before the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation at the Field Hearing on Universal Service in Anchorage, Alaska. 7/2/98
• Chairman Kennard Tells Mayors U.s. Faces Third Great Education Challenge of Last 150 Years; Urges Support for E-rate.
• FCC Reforms Universal Service Support Mechanism for Schools and Libraries (CC Docket No. 96-45, FCC 98-120). [ WordPerfect | Acrobat | News Release | Public Notice | Statements: Kennard, Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell, Tristani] 6/23/98
• Remarks of Commissioner Susan Ness Before the Computer and Communications Industry Association's 1998 Washington Caucus, Washington, D.C., JUNE 9, 1998. "To Have and Have Not: Advanced Telecommunications Technologies".
• Statement of Chairman William Kennard Before the Subcommittee on Communications Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation United States Senate on the Reauthorization of the Federal Communications Commission (June 10, 1998)
• Chairman Kennard's Speech "Bridging the Digital Divide" to the NAACP Board of Trustees in Baltimore, MD. 5/18/98
• Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on Proposed Revision of 1998 Collection Amounts for Schools and Libraries and Rural Health Care Universal Service Support Mechanisms. [ WordPerfect | Acrobat | Furchtgott-Roth Statement | Tristani Statement ] 5/14/98 DA 98-872
• Released: April 24, 1998. COMMON CARRIER BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON PROGRAM TO MONITOR IMPACTS OF UNIVERSAL SERVICE SUPPORT MECHANISMS - CC DOCKET NO 96-45.(DA No. 98-580). Contact: Alex Belinfante at 0944 or Scott Bergmann at 7102, Industry Analysis Division. Request for Comments. Adobe Format.
• NTIA, The NII Field Hearings on Universal Service and Open Access: America Speaks Out (September 1994)

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