Universal Service 2007 Headlines
12/26/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Allo Communications, seeking
waiver of the September 28, 2007, filing deadline associated with the
receipt of universal service support pursuant to section 54.802 of the
Commission’s rules. Comments on the petition are due by January
25, 2008, and reply comments are due by February 11, 2008.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
12/26/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau released a Public Notice initiating a proceeding to consider USCOC
of Greater Missouri, LLC d/b/a U.S. Cellular's petition for redefinition
of certain rural telephone company study areas in the state of Missouri.
Comments in the proceeding are due by January 25, 2008, and reply comments
are due by February 11, 2008.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
12/20/07
WCB sends letter congratulating RHC Pilot Program selected participants
and reminding them of the program’s competitive bid requirements.
Letter: Acrobat | Text
12/20/07
Order: In this order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau approves NECA's and USAC's proposed 2008 high-cost
loop and local switching support formulas for providing universal service
support to average schedule companies.
Order: Word | Acrobat
12/17/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau has under consideration a Request for Review filed
by Troup County school System, LaGrange, Georgia (Troup County), seeking
review of a Funding Year 2006 Universal Service Administrative Company,
Inc. (USAC) decision in which USAC denied schools and libraries universal
service funding because the applicant's contracts were not signed by
both parties prior to the filing of the FCC Form 471. We grant Troup
County’s Motion to Dismiss Appeal and, accordingly, dismisses Troup
County’s Request for Review.
Order: Word | Acrobat
12/13/07
Public Notice: Virgin Mobile: The Wireline
Competition Bureau seeks comment on four petitions filed by Virgin Mobile
USA, L.P. (Virgin Mobile). One petition requests that the Commission
forbear from applying the requirement in section 214(e)(1)(A) of the
Act that an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) offer services
supported by the universal service fund using either its own facilities
or a combination of its own facilities and resale of another carrier’s
services. In the remaining three petitions, Virgin Mobile seeks designation
as an ETC, only for purposes of participation in the Lifeline/Link Up
program, in the state of New York and the commonwealths of Pennsylvania
and Virginia. Comments are due January 14, 2008 and reply comments are
due January 29, 2008.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
12/13/07
Public Notice: TracFone: The Wireline
Competition Bureau seeks comment on two petitions filed by TracFone Wireless,
Inc. seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC),
only for purposes of participating in the Lifeline program, in the states
of Delaware and New Hampshire. Comments are due January 14, 2008 and
reply comments are due January 29, 2008.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
12/12/07
Order: In this Order, we grant 13 appeals
of 12 petitioners that were denied funding because USAC determined that
the consortia leaders did not provide evidence of their authority to
represent their respective consortium members. We find that the petitioners
have provided evidence to the Commission on appeal demonstrating that
each consortia member knew it was represented, and consented to its representation,
on the applications. For five petitioners, consistent with our reasoning
in the South Carolina CIO Order, we find that USAC should not have denied
the requests for failure to comply with a new USAC procedure for FY2005
because USAC did not provide sufficient notice for consortia applicants
to comply with the new policy. For four petitioners, we find that evidence
submitted on appeal either remedies any deficiencies in their LOAs or
is consistent with USAC's guidance that documentation other than LOAs
may be accepted as proof of authorization. Finally, for three petitioners,
we find that the failure to specify the timeframe covered by the LOA
is not sufficient to deny the entire application.
Order: Word | Acrobat
12/12/07
Order: In this Order, we grant 10 requests
for reversal of late fees associated with the filing of the FCC Form
499-A for 2007. We find that good cause exists to grant the requests,
as more fully discussed below. We further direct the Universal Service
Administrative Company (USAC) and the other plan administrators to reverse
any late payment fees that have been assessed on the applicants listed
in the attached Appendix.
Order: Word | Acrobat
12/12/07
Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau
released an order granting a request from Bristol Bay Cellular Partnership
(Bristol Bay), a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier in Alaska,
for a waiver of section 54.307(b) of the Commission’s rules. Specifically,
due to the unique circumstances presented by Bristol Bay, the order waives
the requirement that subscriber line count data submitted for purposes
of obtaining universal service support be based on the subscriber’s
billing address.
Order: Word | Acrobat
12/4/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Osirus Communications, Inc.,
seeking waiver of Commission rules to allow it to join the National Exchange
Carrier Association (NECA) and to receive immediate universal service
support. Comments are due January 3, 2008 and reply comments are due
January 18, 2008.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
11/29/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by CC Cellular, seeking waiver
of the March 30, 2007, filing deadline associated with the receipt of
universal service funds pursuant to sections 54.307(c)(4) of the Commission's
rules. Interested parties may file comments on or before December 29,
2007 and reply comments on or before January 13, 2008.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
11/29/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Hargray Wireless, LLC, pursuant
to section 54.207 of the Commission's rules, requesting the Commission's
agreement with the decision of the South Carolina Public Service Commission
to redefine the service area of United Telephone Company of the Carolinas
d/b/a Embarq at the wire center level. Interested parties may file comments
on or before December 29, 2007 and reply comments on or before January
13, 2008.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
11/26/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau released a Public Notice initiating a proceeding to consider Triangle
Communication System, Inc.'s petition for redefinition of certain rural
telephone company study areas in the state of Montana. Comments in the
proceeding are due by December 26, 2007, and reply comments are due by
January 10, 2008.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
11/20/07
Recommended Decision: Federal-State
Joint Board on Universal Service Issues Recommended Decision on High-Cost
Reform.
Recommended Decision: Word | Acrobat
FCC Chairman Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
FCC Commissioner Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
FCC Commissioner Tate Statement: Word | Acrobat
Commissioner Ray Baum Statement: Word | Acrobat
Chairman Lisa Polak Edgar Statement: Word | Acrobat
Commissioner Larry S. Landis Statement: Word | Acrobat
Commissioner John D. Burke Statement: Word | Acrobat
Assistant Attorney General Public Counsel Simon ffitch Statement: Word | Acrobat
11/19/07
FCC Launches Initiative to Increase Access
to Health Care in Rural America Through Broadband Telehealth. WCB
Docket No. 02-60.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Selected Participants: Word | Acrobat
Corrected Order: Acrobat
Erratum (12/17/07): Word | Acrobat
Order: Word | Acrobat
Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
Tate Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
11/9/07
Public Notice: Comment is sought on
petitions filed by Saddleback Communications, Gila River Telecommunications,
Inc., and Pine Belt Cellular, Inc. seeking waivers of the October 1,
2007, deadline for Commission-designated eligible telecommunications
carriers to file annual reports pursuant to section 54.209 of the Commission’s
rules. Comments are due by November 23, 2007 and reply comments are due
by November 30, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
11/6/07
Public Notice: Comment is sought on
a petition filed by Texas RSA 8 South Limited Partnership d/b/a Westex
Wireless seeking waiver of filing deadlines associated with the receipt
of universal service funds, pursuant to sections 54.307(c)(2), 54.802(a),
and 54.903(a) of the Commission’s rules. Comments are due by December
6, 2007 and reply comments are due by December 21, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
11/6/07
Order: Oblio Telecom, Inc. In this
Order, at the request of Oblio Telecom, Inc. (Oblio), Telecommunications
Access Policy Division dismisses with prejudice Oblio’s petition
for declaratory ruling regarding the universal service certification
process between resellers and their underlying carriers. Word | Acrobat| Text
10/30/07
Order: Joseph Jingoli & Son, Inc.,
et al. In this Order, the Telecommunications Access Policy Division granted
13 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company
(USAC) denying funding from the E-rate program, on the grounds that Petitioners
sought cancellation of their funding requests. Word | Acrobat| Text
10/22/07
Public Notice: TCA High-Cost Waiver
Petition: Comment is sought on a petition by The Community Cable Television
Agency of O'Brien County d/b/a The Community Agency and TCA (TCA) seeking
wavier of the December 31, 2006, filing deadlines associated with the
receipt of universal service funds pursuant to sections 54.307 and 54.802
of the Commission's rules. Comments are due by November 21, 2007 and
reply comments are due by December 6, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
10/22/07
Public Notice: United States Cellular
Redefinition: Comment is sought on a petition filed by United States
Cellular requesting the Commission’s agreement with the decision
of the Nebraska Public Service Commission to redefine the service areas
of certain rural telephone companies in Nebraska at the wire center level.
Comments are due by November 21, 2007 and reply comments are due by December
6, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
10/19/07
Public Notice: Funding Year 2008 Eligible
Services List: On October 19, 2007, the Commission released the Funding
Year 2008 Eligible Services List (ESL) for the schools and libraries
universal service support mechanism pursuant to section 54.522 of the
Commission’s rules.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | Text
Eligible Services List: Word | Acrobat | Text
Erratum: Word | Acrobat | Text
10/5/07
Public Notice: Comment is sought on
the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc.'s 2008 modification of
average schedule universal service high-cost loop support formula, and
on the Universal Service Administrative Company's 2008 average schedule
company local switching support formula. Comments are due November 5,
2007 and reply comments are due November 20, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
10/5/07
Public Notice: Comment is sought on
the petition for study area waiver filed jointly by Beaver Creek Cooperative
Telephone Company and Qwest Corporation. Comments on the petition are
due November 5, 2007 and reply comments are due November 20, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
9/28/07
Order: Pursuant to sections 254(a)(1)
and 410 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the Federal Communications
Commission (Commission) appoints Simon ffitch, Assistant Attorney General,
Chief, Public Counsel Section, Attorney General of Washington, to serve
on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, effective October
1, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
9/27/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau seeks comment on a high-cost filing deadline waiver petition filed
by Dixie-Net Communications, Inc. Dixie-Net is seeking a waiver of the
June 30, 2007 filing deadline required by section 54.802 of the Commission's
rules. Comments on the petition are due October 29, 2007 and reply comments
are due November 13, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
9/27/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by USCOC of Greater Missouri,
Inc. d/b/a U.S. Cellular requesting the Commission’s agreement
with the decision of the Missouri Public Service Commission to redefine
the service areas of certain rural telephone companies in Missouri at
the wire center level. Comments on the petition are due October 29, 2007
and reply comments are due November 13, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
9/21/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau announces Office of Management and Budget approval of the revised
2007 Federal Communications Commission Forms 499-A, 499-Q, and accompanying
instructions. Word | Acrobat| Text
9/20/07
Order: The Telecommunications Access
Policy Division adopted a protective order to provide limited access
to confidential information in Centennial USVI Operations Corp.'s petition
for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier in the U.S.
Virgin Islands. Word | Acrobat| Text
9/20/07
Order: The Telecommunications Access
Policy Division adopted a protective order to provide limited access
to confidential information in Choice Communications LLC's petition for
designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier in the U.S. Virgin
Islands. Word | Acrobat| Text
9/6/07
Public Notice: The Universal Service
Joint Board continues to work on the issue of fundamental reform. This
document reflects a tentative agreement among the board members on the
principles that may guide their deliberations. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/31/07
Public Notice: On November 21, 2006,
Gila River Telecommunications Inc. (GRTI) filed a petition seeking a
waiver of sections 36.3; 36.123-126, 36.152-157, and 36.372-382 of the
Commission’s rules to unfreeze GRTI’s category relationships.
In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment
on GRTI’s petition. Comments due October 1, 2007 and reply comments
due October 15, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/30/07
Public Notice: The Wireline competition
Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Decatur Telephone Company
seeking waiver of the June 30, 2007, filing deadline associated with
the receipt of universal service funds pursuant to section 54.904 of
the Commission's rules. Comments due October 1, 2007 and reply comments
due October 15, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/29/07
Public Notice: American Telecommunications
Systems, Inc.: In the Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau
(WCB) seeks comment on two applications for review of WCB orders denying
universal service fund contributor appeals by American Cyber corp. et
al. American Telecommunications Systems, Inc. Comments are due September
13, 2007 and reply comments are due September 28, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/29/07
Public Notice: Triangle Communication
Redefinition: In the Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB)
seeks comment on two applications for review of WCB orders denying universal
service fund contributor appeals by American Cyber corp. et al. American
Telecommunications Systems, Inc. Comments are due September 28, 2007
and reply comments are due October 15, 2007. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/29/07
News Release: FCC Takes Further Action
to Safeguard Universal Service Fund From Risk of Waste, Fraud and Abuse.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
R&O: Word | Acrobat
8/16/07
Public Notice: Extension of Katrina
Relief Order: In the Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks
comment on a request for a further waiver to extend relief provided in
the Katrina Relief Order under the E-rate program for schools and libraries
in Louisiana and Mississippi for Funding Year 2007. 8/16/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/16/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by ICORE, Inc. on behalf of
Pattersonville Telephone Company, seeking waiver of the June 30, 2007
filing deadline associated with the receipt of interstate common line
support universal service funds pursuant to section 54.903 of the Commission's
rules. Comments on the petition are due September 17, 2007 and reply
comments are due October 2, 2007. 8/16/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/15/07
Order: The Telecommunications Access
Policy Division adopted a protective order to provide limited access
to confidential information in Corr Wireless Communications LLC's petition
for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier in Alabama.
8/15/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/15/07
Order: The Telecommunications Access
Policy Division adopted a protective order to provide limited access
to confidential information in NEP Cellcorp, Inc.'s petition for designation
as an eligible telecommunications carrier in Pennsylvania. 8/15/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/15/07
Order: The Telecommunications Access
Policy Division adopted a protective order to provide limited access
to confidential information in Cingular Wireless LLC's petition for designation
as an eligible telecommunications carrier in Georgia. 8/15/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/15/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on two petitions seeking
eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designations. One petition
was filed by NEP Cellcorp, Inc., which is seeking ETC designation in
Pennsylvania, and the other was filed by Corr Wireless Communications
LLC, which is seeking ETC designation in Alabama. Comments on the petitions
are due August 29, 2007 and reply comments are due September 5, 2007.
8/15/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/13/07
Order: In this order, Telecommunications
Access Policy Division grants Sagebrush Cellular, Inc. (Sagebrush) a
waiver of the certification filing deadline in section 54.904(d) of the
Commission's rules to allow Sagebrush to receive Interstate Common Line
Support from the date of its ETC designation. 8/13/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/8/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a study area waiver
petition filed by Qwest. Qwest seeks a waiver of the study area boundary
freeze to allow it to transfer a territory in Wyoming to RT Communications.
Comments on the petition are due September 7, 2007, and reply comments
are due September 24, 2007. 8/8/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/6/07
Order: The Commission denied a petition
filed by Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. requesting that the Commission
forbear from enforcing certain sections of the Commission’s rules
to permit Iowa Telecom to be eligible for high-cost universal service
support under the non-rural mechanism, rather than under the high-cost
loop support mechanism for rural carriers. 8/6/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/1/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
comment is sought on two petitions for waiver of universal service line
count filing rules, filed by Vantage Point and WeavTel Communications
LLC. Comments on the petitions are due August 31, 2007, and reply comments
are due September 17, 2007. 8/1/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
8/1/07
Order: This order grants Centennial
Communications Corp.'s request to extend the reply comment deadline on
its request for review and reversal of a decision by USAC regarding the “true-up” of
interstate common line support (ICLS) universal service payments disbursed
to Centennial Puerto Rico in 2004. The deadline for filing reply comments
is extended from August 13, 2007 to August 31, 2007. 8/1/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
7/27/07
Public Notice: The Commission today
sought comment on USAC’s proposed schools and libraries program
eligible services list (ESL) for Funding Year 2008. The changes that
are being proposed for the Funding Year 2008 ESL include (1) treating
Centrex service as basic telephone service for purposes of the schools
and libraries program with the intention of eliminating the requirement
that applicants file a technology plan for Centrex service; (2) clarifying
that the basic conduit access to the Internet for the purpose of accessing
distance learning and video conferencing is eligible for funding in the
Internet access category but distance learning and video conferencing
tools are not eligible for funding; and (3) clarifying that program participants
are not required to provide cost allocation for calendaring functions
ancillary to E-mail service. Comments are due Aug. 10, 2007 and reply
comments are due Aug. 17, 2007. 7/27/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
7/11/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau announces the availability of revised FCC Forms 472, 473, 474,
479, 486 and 500. The revised forms are posted on the web site of the
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) at www.usac.org. 7/11/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
7/10/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau announces that an eligible telecommunications
carrier (ETC) in a state with its own state-based Low-Income program
must submit a certification, signed by an officer of the company to USAC
by August 31, 2007, and on August 31 of each subsequent year thereafter,
attesting that the ETC has complied with state lifeline verification
procedures. ETCs in federal default states must also submit their annual
Lifeline verification survey results to USAC by August 31, 2007. 7/10/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
7/10/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Sprint's Petition requesting
a declaratory ruling concerning a Kansas Corporation Commission ruling
that requires an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) to apply federal
Lifeline support to reduce the cost of any rate plan offered by an ETC,
as opposed to only the carrier’s lowest-cost generally available
rate plan. Sprint requests that the Commission find that the Kansas ruling
violates section 47 U.S.C. § 254(f) of the Act. Sprint also asks
the Commission to declare that the Kansas ruling violates 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(3)(A).
Comment Date: August 9,2007. Reply Comment Date: August 24, 2007. 7/10/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
7/9/07
Public Notice: Comment is sought on
a petition filed by TDS, FairPoint, and Burke's Garden Telephone Company,
seeking revocation of Sprint/Nextel's ETC designation in Virginia. Comments
on the petition are due August 8, 2007, and reply comments are due August
23, 2007. 7/9/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
7/2/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition denied the appeal filed by Radiant Telecom, Inc. seeking
review of the Universal Service Administrative Company's Decision on
Contributor Appeal. 7/2/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
6/27/07
Public Notice: Released 6/27/07, Comment
sought on Centennial Communications Corp.’s request for review
of a USAC decision regarding the true-up of interstate common line support
universal service payments for Puerto Rico in 2004. Comments on the request
for review are due July 27, 2007, and reply comments are due August 13,
2007. 6/19/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
6/19/07
Public Notice: Oblio filed a petition
for declaratory ruling requesting (1) to have the Commission declare
that a wholesale telecommunications carrier may not refuse to honor a
telecommunication reseller’s proof of exemption from USF pass-through
charges where the reseller has certified that it is a direct contributor
to the USF; (2) a declaration of the obligation of the wholesale telecommunications
carrier to refund collected USF charges where the reseller has provided
the wholesale telecommunications carrier a certification letter; and
(3) a declaration that AT&T’s refusal to honor Oblio's refund request,
while providing refunds to other resellers amounts to a discriminatory
practice under §202(a) of the Act. At 2. 6/19/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
6/19/07
Public Notice: The Bureau released
a Public Notice seeking comment on six petitions seeking waivers of various
filing requirements associated with the receipt of universal service
support pursuant to the Commission’s rules. The petitions were
filed by the Illinois Commerce Commission; Pine Cellular Phones, Inc.;
Grande Communications Network, Inc.; Range Telephone Cooperative, Inc.;
Prairie Wave Black Hills, L.L.C.; and Farmers Mutual Telephone Company.
Comments on the petitions are due July 19, 2007 and reply comments are
due August 3, 2007. 6/19/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
Public Notice: The Bureau released a
Public Notice seeking comment on petitions for waiver of section 36.611
and 36.612 of the Commission’s rules filed by Allband Communications
Cooperative and Direct Communications Cedar Valley. Comments on the petitions
are due July 19, 2007 and reply comments are due August 3, 2007. 6/19/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
Public Notice: The Bureau released a
Public Notice seeking comment on a petition for study area waiver filed
by El Paso Telephone Company and Qwest Corporation. Comments on the petition
are due July 19, 2007 and reply comments are due August 3, 2007. 6/19/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
6/12/07
Order: On June 12, 2007, the Commission
released an order granting an extension of time for parties to file reply
comments in response to the May 14, 2007 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,
which sought comment on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service’s
recommendation that the Commission adopt an interim, emergency cap on
high-cost universal service support for competitive eligible telecommunications
carriers. The reply comment date is changed from June 13, 2007, to June
21, 2007. 6/12/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
6/11/07
Public Notice: Pursuant to section
54.709(a)(3) of the Commission’s rules, on May 2, 2007, the Universal
Service Administrative Company (USAC) submitted projections of demand
and administrative expenses for the Federal Universal Service Fund for
the Third Quarter of 2007. According to USAC’s projections, $650
million in unused funds from Funding Years 2001 through 2004 is available
to carry forward to increase disbursements to schools and libraries via
the schools and libraries universal service mechanism. Section 54.507(a)(2)
of the Commission’s rules states, in pertinent part, that "all
funds that are collected and that are unused from prior years shall be
available for use in the next full funding year of the schools and libraries
mechanism in accordance with the public interest and notwithstanding
the annual cap." 6/11/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
6/4/07
Order: On May 21, 2007, Dobson Cellular
System and the American Cellular Corporation (Dobson/ACC) filed a petition
seeking the Commission's agreement with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission's
redefinition of certain rural incumbent local exchange carriers. Pursuant
to section 54.207(c)(2) of the Commission's rules, the Wireline Competition
Bureau seeks comment on Dobson/ACC's petition. Comment Date: 7/5/07.
Reply Comment: 7/19/07. 6/4/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/25/07
Order: On October 10, 2006, Twin Valley
Telephone, Inc. (Twin Valley) filed a Petition for Clarification of the
effective date of the Wireline Competition Bureau’s order granting
it waivers of the study area boundary freeze and section 69.3(e)(11)
of the Commission’s rules. On April 26, 2006, Twin Valley filed
a request to withdraw the Petition for Clarification. We grant Twin Valley’s
request for withdrawal. 5/25/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/24/07
Order: On March 5, 2007, Alenco Communications,
Inc. (Alenco), et al., filed a petition seeking a declaratory ruling
that customer equipment used in connection with fixed or mobile satellite
service is not within the definition of “facilities” as used
in section 214(e) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. On April
25, 2007, the Wireline Competition Bureau released a Public Notice requesting
that comments on the Alenco Petition be filed by May 25, 2007 and reply
comments by June 11, 2007. On May 16, 2007, DialToneServices, L.P. (DTS)
filed a letter seeking to extend the comment and reply comment deadlines
by six weeks. DTS states that the extension would enable parties and
the Commission to develop a more complete record of the important issues
raised in the petition. On May 18, 2007, Alenco, the Texas Telephone
Association, the Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative, Inc., and others
(collectively Petitioners) filed a letter responding to DTS’ request,
and arguing that a six-week extension was unwarranted. Instead, the Petitioners
suggest extending the comment and reply comment deadlines by two weeks.
Comments Due: June 22, 2007. Reply Comments Due: July 9, 2007. 5/24/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/23/07
Public Notice: On May 14, 2007, the
Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, seeking comment
on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service’s recommendation
that the Commission adopt an interim, emergency cap on high-cost universal
service support for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers.
The Commission set the comment and reply comment deadlines as 14 and
21 days, respectively, after publication of the Notice in the Federal
Register. On May 23, 2007, a summary of the Notice appeared in the Federal
Register. Accordingly, comments will be due on June 6, 2007, and reply
comments will be due on June 13, 2007. 5/23/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/18/07
Order: In this order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau grants 27 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service
Administrative Company (USAC). USAC denied funding on the grounds that
the requests for telecommunications service were from service providers
that do not provide telecommunications on a common carrier basis and
therefore were not eligible for direct reimbursement from the E-Rate
program. Because the Petitioners may have used incorrect Service Provider
Information Numbers (SPINs), the order grants the Petitioners the opportunity
to correct the SPINs. 5/18/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/18/07
Public Notice: The SECA (State E-Rate
Coordinators Assoc.) PN establishes a comment cycle for a petition for
reconsideration of our recent order (DA 07-1272, rel. 3/13/07) granting
AT&T's petition for clarification of the E-rate billing rules filed by
SECA. In its petition, SECA argues that AT&T's billing system requires
applicants to pay the entire amount of the billed charges by the due
date, including the discounted and non-discounted portions, regardless
of when the applicant receives the reimbursement check from AT&T. SECA
notes that all other companies have been able to implement discounted
billing. Comment Date: June 1, 2007. Reply Comment Date: June 15, 2007.
5/18/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/18/07
Public Notice: The Eureka / Value Added
PN establishes a comment cycle for two petitions seeking review of WCBs
Reseller Order. In the Reseller Order, the Bureau denied petitions filed
by Eureka and Value-Added, both resellers of telecommunication services,
challenging USAC’s decisions not to recognize USF contributions
which petitioners contended they made indirectly through underlying carriers.
Comment Date: June 1, 2007. Reply Comment Date: June 15, 2007. 5/18/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/14/07
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: In this
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice), we seek comment on the recommendation
of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) that
the Commission take immediate action to rein in the explosive growth
in high-cost universal service support disbursements. Specifically, we
seek comment on the Joint Board’s recommendation that the Commission
impose an interim, emergency cap on the amount of high-cost support that
competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may receive.
The Joint Board also recommended that both it and the Commission further
explore comprehensive high-cost distribution reform, and sought comment
on various reform proposals in a Public Notice released on the same day
as the Recommended Decision. 5/14/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/14/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau initiates a proceeding to consider a petition by Dobson Cellular
Systems, Inc. and its affiliate American Cellular Corporation to redefine
the service areas of twelve rural telephone companies in the state of
Oklahoma. Due to creamskimming concerns in four of the service areas,
the Public Notice initiates a proceeding to examine the request. Comment
Date: June 13, 2007. Reply Comment Date: June 28, 2007. 5/14/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/11/07
Order: In this Order, pursuant to section
1.429 of the Commission’s rules, we dismiss the Expedited Petition
to Reduce or Adjust the Proposed Fourth Quarter Contribution Factor filed
by WilTel Communications, LLC (“WilTel”). Specifically, we
find that the Petition was untimely filed. 5/11/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/8/07
Order: In this Order, the Commission
grants in part and denies in part Macomb Intermediate School District
Technology Consortium’s (Macomb ISD) Request for Review. Macomb
ISD requested the same type of Internet access (T-3 lines) from three
separate service providers. The order finds that Macomb ISD violated
the Commission’s competitive bidding rules by not selecting the
bids that were the most cost-effective. We find, however, that Macomb
ISD is entitled to E-rate program funding for the T-3 lines in an amount
associated with the least expensive of the services, consistent with
the Commission’s rules on competitive bidding. 5/8/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/8/07
Order: In this Order, the Bureau grants
62 appeals and denies one pertaining to applicants that were denied E-rate
program funding on the grounds that they did not wait 28 days after their
FCC Form 470s were posted on the USAC website before entering into an
agreement with a service provider or submitting their FCC Form 471s for
the requested services. 5/8/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/8/07
Order: In this Order, the Commission
grants 17 Requests for Review of decisions by USAC denying petitioners’ requests
for funding under the E-rate program because more than 30 percent of
the funding requests were for entities ineligible for E-Rate support.
The Commission finds that 11 petitioners have provided sufficient evidence
that the entities for which they sought discounted services were eligible
for support and that four petitioners have provided sufficient evidence
justifying further review by USAC. For the remaining two petitioners,
the Commission holds that the Commission’s 30 percent rule is not
applicable to the petitioners’ applications. 5/8/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/8/07
Order: In this Order, the Commission
grants 59 appeals of decisions by USAC denying petitioners’ requests
for funding under the E-rate program because applicants violated section
54.504(d) of the Commission’s rules, which requires USAC to deny
a request for E-rate support if 30 percent or more of a request for discounts
is for ineligible services. The Commission finds that 23 petitioners
provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that at least 70 percent
of the requested services are eligible for support. For the remaining
36 petitioners, the Commission finds that good cause exists to justify,
on our own motion, waivers of section 54.504(d). 5/8/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/8/07
Order: In this Order, the Commission
grants 56 Requests for Review of decisions by USAC denying petitioners’ requests
for funding under the E-rate program because the applicants failed to
demonstrate access to the resources required to effectively use the requested
eligible services or to pay their non-discounted share for the services.
In this order, the Commission finds that the petitioners either provided
sufficient evidence to demonstrate they had the resources to make effective
use of the requested eligible services or they should have an additional
opportunity to provide the documentation to USAC. Accordingly,
the Commission grants the appeals and remands the underlying applications
to USAC for further action consistent with the Order. 5/8/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/1/07
News Release: The Federal-State Joint
Board on Universal Service recommended that the Federal Communications
Commission take immediate action to rein in explosive growth in high-cost
universal service support disbursements. The Joint Board is also seeking
comment on proposals for long-term, comprehensive reform of the high-cost
program. 5/1/07. Word |Acrobat
5/1/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) seeks
comment on various proposals to reform the high-cost universal service
support mechanisms. In a companion Recommended Decision released today,
the Joint Board recommends that the Commission take immediate action
to rein in the explosive growth in high-cost universal service support
disbursements by imposing an interim, emergency cap on the amount of
high-cost support that competitive eligible telecommunications carriers
(ETCs) may receive. The Joint Board is committed to making further recommendations
regarding long term, comprehensive high-cost universal service reform
within six months. To assist the Joint Board in accomplishing this goal,
we seek comment on several proposals that have been placed in the record
since the close of the last comment cycle, as well as other possible
reforms. The Joint Board expects parties to put forth detailed, comprehensive
proposals within this comment cycle. Comments on the Public Notice are
due May 31, 2007, and reply comments are due July 2, 2007. 5/1/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
5/1/07
Recommended Decision: In this Recommended
Decision, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board)
recommends that the Commission take immediate action to rein in the explosive
growth in high-cost universal service support disbursements. Specifically,
we recommend that the Commission impose an interim, emergency cap on
the amount of high-cost support that competitive eligible telecommunications
carriers (ETCs) may receive for each state based on the average level
of competitive ETC support distributed in that state in 2006. We also
recommend that the Joint Board and the Commission further explore comprehensive
high-cost distribution reform. As part of that effort, today in a companion
Public Notice we seek comment on various proposals to reform the high-cost
universal service support mechanisms. We also commit to making further
recommendations regarding comprehensive high-cost universal service reform
within six months of this Recommended Decision. Finally, we recommend
that the Commission act on these further recommendations within one year
from the date of our further recommended decision. 5/1/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
4/25/07
Public Notice: Public Notice seeks
comment on a petition for declaratory ruling and preemption of a Texas
PUC order filed by a group of rural carriers. The petitioners request
that the Commission issue a declaratory ruling affirming that rooftop
or pole-mounted antenna used with fixed satellite service and mobile
handset and accessories used with mobile satellite service do not satisfy
the "facilities" requirement of sec. 214(e) of the Act. The petitioners
also seek an order preempting the Texas PUC's designation of DialToneServices
(DTS) as an ETC, because DTS does not meet section 214(e)'s facilities
requirement. Comments on the petition are due May 25, 2007, and reply
comments are due June 11, 2007. 4/25/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
4/25/07
Public Notice: Public Notice seeks
comment on a petition by the State E-rate Coordinators Alliance for clarification
and/or waiver of E-rate rules concerning technology plan creation and
approval under the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism.
Comments on the petition are due May 10, 2007, and reply comments are
due May 25, 2007. 4/25/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
4/17/07
Order on Reconsideration: In this Order,
the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) grants and remands a Petition
for Reconsideration filed by the Virginia State Department of Education
(Virginia DOE) asking the Bureau to reconsider its order denying Virginia
DOE’s Request for Review of a decision issued by the Universal
Service Administrative Company. 4/17/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
4/16/07
Notice of Inquiry: This Notice of Inquiry
(Notice) begins our fifth inquiry under section 706 of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996 (the 1996 Act) into “whether advanced telecommunications
capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely
fashion.” We seek comment on various market, investment, and technological
trends in order for the Commission to analyze and assess whether infrastructure
capable of supporting advanced services is being made available to all
Americans. 4/16/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
4/10/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) denies the request for review filed by i-Tel
Long Distance a/k/a Impact Telecommunications, Inc. (i-Tel) of two Administrator’s
Decisions on Contributor Appeal. In its request, i-Tel alleges that qualifies
for de minimis status and, thus, is not subject to universal service
contributions. The Bureau finds that i-Tel did qualify for de minimis
status for the billing periods at issue and affirms the Administrator’s
Decisions. 4/10/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
4/10/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) dismisses in part and denies in part a request
for review of a USAC administrator decision filed by National Network
Communications, Inc. National Network alleges that it qualifies for de
minimis status and, thus, is not subject to universal service contributions.
The Bureau finds that National Network was eligible for the de minimis
exemption for the billing period January – December 2002, but,
pursuant to the true-up process, has already received relief for this
time period. The Bureau also finds that National Network was not eligible
for the de minimis exemption for the billing periods January – December
2000 and January – December 2001. 4/10/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
4/6/07
Order: In this order, pursuant to section
10(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), the Wireline
Competition Bureau extend by 90 days the date by which the petition requesting
forbearance filed by Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. (Iowa Telecom)
shall be deemed granted in the absence of a Commission decision that
the petition fails to meet the standards for forbearance under section
10(a) of the Act. 4/6/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
4/3/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau grant a joint request from SRT Communications, Inc.
(SRT) and North Dakota Telephone Company (NDTC) (collectively, the Petitioners)
for a waiver of the study area boundary freeze codified in the Appendix-Glossary
of Part 36 of the Commission’s rules. This waiver will permit NDTC
to remove the Velva exchange comprising approximately 720 lines from
its North Dakota study area and will permit SRT to add that exchange
to its existing North Dakota study area. We also grant SRT’s request
for waiver of section 69.3(e)(11) of the Commission’s rules so
that it can include the acquired exchange in the National Exchange Carrier
Association (NECA) common line tariff. 4/3/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
4/2/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Northwest Missouri Cellular
Limited Partnership pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission's rules,
47 C.F.R. section 54.207, requesting the Commission's agreement with
the decision of the Missouri Publi Service Commission to redefine the
study areas of three rural telephone companies at the wire center level.
Comment Date: April 16, 2007. Reply Comment Date: April 23, 2007. 4/2/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/29/07
Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau
grant Cellular South's petition for waiver of sections 54.904(d) of the
Commission's rules to enable Cellular South to receive Interstate Common
Line Support as of its ETC designation date. Specifically, Cellular South
seeks waiver of a filing deadline that occurred prior to its ETC designation
date. We find that Cellular South has demonstrated good cause to grant
this waiver. 3/29/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/28/07
Public Notice: Public Notice To Wireless
Carriers Who Filed FCC Form 499-Q in November 2006 With The Universal
Service Administrative Company And Sought Confidential Treatment Of The
Information Submitted. 3/28/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/28/07
Public Notice: Public Notice To All
Carriers Who Filed FCC Form 499-Q in November 2006 With The Universal
Service Administrative Company And Sought Confidential Treatment Of The
Information Submitted. 3/28/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/28/07
Order: In this Order, the Commission
grants 29 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative
Company reducing or denying funding under the E-rate program on the grounds
that Petitioners' funding requests were not supported by an approved
technology plan. 3/28/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/28/07
Order: In this Order, the Commission
grants 76 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) reducing or denying funding from the E-rate program on
the grounds that applicants failed to respond to USAC’s requests
for information within the USAC-specified time frame. 3/28/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/28/07
Order: In this Order, the Commission
grants 72 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative
Company reducing or denying funding on the grounds that the applicant
did not have a legally binding agreement in place when it filed its FCC
Form 471, that the applicant’s existing contract expired before
the end of the funding year, or that the execution date of the contract
did not accompany the signature lines of both the applicant and the service
provider. 3/28/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/26/07
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition
Bureau Seeks Comment on a Petition by Missouri RSA No. 5 Partnership
to Redefine the Study Areas of Four Rural Telephone Companies in Missouri.
The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a petition
filed by Missouri RSA No. 5 Partnership pursuant to section 54.207 of
the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 54.207 requesting the
Commission’s agreement with the decision of the Missouri Public
Service Commission (MPSC) to redefine the study areas of four rural telephone
companies at the wire center level. 3/26/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/23/07
Order: This order addresses 14 appeals
of USAC decisions denying funding on the ground that the Petitioners
violated the Commission's competitive bidding requirements. The Order
denies one appeal because the record shows that the Petitioner’s
competitive bidding process violated program rules, but grants and remands
the remaining appeals to USAC for further action. 3/23/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/19/07
Public Notice: On December 18, 2006,
the Commission sought approval from the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) of the information collection for the revised FCC Form 499-A, FCC
Form 499-Q, and accompanying instructions. 3/19/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/19/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) deny the Petition for Waiver filed by Sprint
Corporation (Sprint). Sprint asks for a waiver of the Commission's rule
requiring that private branch exchange (PBX) and key systems be treated
as "Priority Two" services under the schools and libraries universal
service support mechanism (also known as the E-rate program). Sprint
asks that the Commission treat such services as "Priority One" services
for the duration of those contracts that were signed prior to December
1, 2003, because the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)
had treated these services as Priority One services prior to this date.
We deny the Petition. 3/19/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/14/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) deny requests for review filed by ABS-CBN
Telcom North America, Incorporated (ABS-CBN), Southwest Communications,
Inc. (SCI), and Trans National Communications International, Inc. (TNCI)(collectively
Petitioners). 3/14/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/14/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) deny the request filed by Big River Telephone
Company, LLC (Big River or Petitioner) seeking review of the Decision
on Contributor Appeal issued by the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC or the Administrator). Specifically, Big River challenges
the Administrator’s application of adjustments posted to Big River’s
account and reflected on its July, August, and September 2002 invoices.
For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the Administrator’s
Decision. 3/14/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/14/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) grant in part and deny in part a petition
by Corr Wireless Communications, LLC (Corr), an eligible telecommunications
carrier (ETC), for waiver of certain filing deadlines set forth in sections
54.313(d)(3) and 54.307(c) of the Commission’s rules. 3/14/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/14/07
Public Notice: On February 21, 2007,
Alltel Communications, Inc. (Alltel) requested that the Commission resolve
previously filed petitions for declaratory ruling seeking preemption
of the Arkansas Telecommunications Reform Act of 1997. Specifically,
Alltel requests that Commission consider whether Section 5 of the Arkansas
Telecommunications Regulatory Reform Act of 1997 (Arkansas Act) conflicts
with federal law and the Commission’s implementing regulations.
Interested parties are invited to comment on Alltel’s request.
3/14/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/14/07
Order: On May 19, 2005, GTA Wireless,
LLC (GTA), filed a Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications
Carrier (Petition) in the above-captioned proceeding. In its Petition,
GTA sought designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier throughout
the Territory of Guam, pursuant to section 214(e)(6) of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended. On October 3, 2006, Pulse Mobile, LLC, formerly
GTA, submitted a request to withdraw the Petition. We grant the GTA request
for withdrawal. 3/14/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/14/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) deny the petitions filed by American Telecommunication
Systems, Inc. (ATS), Equivoice, Inc., (Equivoice), Eureka Broadband Corporation
(Eureka), TON Services, Inc. (TON) and Value-Added Communications, Inc.
(VAC), collectively Petitioners. Petitioners, all resellers of telecommunication
services, challenge the Universal Service Administrative Company’s
(USAC’s or Administrator’s) decisions not to recognize the
Universal Service Fund (USF or Fund) contributions which Petitioners
contend that they made indirectly through underlying carriers. The time
periods at issue vary by case, but all fall within the years 1999-2003.
For the reasons set forth below we deny the petitions and direct that
all outstanding payments, including late fees, penalties, or other monies
owed be made not later than 30 days from release of this Order. 3/14/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/16/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) deny Allegheny Telephone Company's (Allegheny)
appeal of the Administrator's Decision on Contributor Appeal by the Universal
Service Administrative Company (USAC). 3/16/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/16/07
Public Notice: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks to refresh the record on issues raised
in the Petition of Genesis Communications International, Inc. (Genesis)
for Declaratory Rulings Regarding Lifeline Assistance Revenues (Petition).
Because comments and reply comments on the issue were filed several years
ago, the passage of time and intervening developments have rendered the
records developed by those commenters stale. Moreover, some issues raised
by commenters may have become moot or irrelevant in light of intervening
events. For these reasons, the Bureau requests that parties refresh the
record with any new information or arguments they believe to be relevant
to deciding the issues still pending. 3/16/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/16/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) deny the request for review of action taken
by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) filed by Telco
Group Inc. (Telco). 3/16/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/16/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) deny the request for review of a decision
taken by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC or the Administrator)
filed by WorldxChange Corp. (WorldxChange). 3/16/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/16/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) dismiss as moot the request for review of
action taken by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) filed
by Advantage Telecommunications Corp. (Advantage). 3/16/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/16/07
Order: The National Exchange Carrier
Association (NECA) files annually a proposed formula for calculating
high-cost loop support for average schedule members of the common line
pool. The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) issued orders modifying
each of NECA’s proposed formulas for the years 2000 through 2005.
In turn, NECA filed Applications for Review (Applications) or Petitions
for Reconsideration (Petitions) of each of the Bureau orders, requesting
in each instance that the Commission or the Bureau adopt NECA’s
preferred formula. 3/16/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/13/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) grant the petition of AT&T Corp. (AT&T) for
clarification or, in the alternative, waiver of section 54.514(a) of
the Commission’s rules, which states that service providers must
allow the billed entity to choose the method of payment for the discounted
services. Specifically, AT&T requests the Commission to clarify that
AT&T’s on-line reimbursement process complies with section 54.514(a)
of the Commission’s rules or, in the alternative, waive this rule
as it applies to AT&T’s reimbursement process. As explained below,
we find that AT&T’s on-line reimbursement process complies with
the Commission’s rules. 3/13/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/13/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) has under consideration two Requests for
Review filed by Send Technologies L.L.C. (Send Technologies) relating
to services provided by Send Technologies to Union Parish School Board,
Farmerville, Louisiana (Union Parish). Send Technologies seeks review
of decisions by USAC denying Send Technologies’ appeal of commitment
adjustment recovery actions. Consistent with precedent, we deny the Requests
for Review and direct USAC to continue the commitment adjustment recovery
actions regarding this matter. To the extent that Send Technologies requests
a waiver of the Commission’s rules, we deny that request as well.
3/13/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/13/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) deny three separate requests for waiver,
filed by three eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) – NPI-Omnipoint
Wireless, LCC (NPI), SouthEast Telephone, Inc. (SouthEast), and SEI Data,
Inc. (SEI) (collectively, Petitioners) – of certain filing deadlines
required for receipt of high-cost universal support service as set forth
in sections 54.307(c), 54.802(a), 54.809(c), and 54.903 of the Commission’s
rules. We find that the Petitioners have failed to demonstrate that good
cause warrants waiver of the Commission’s rules. 3/13/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/12/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) deny the petitions filed by American Cyber
Corp. (ACC), Coleman Enterprises, Inc. (Coleman), Inmark, Inc., d/b/a
Preferred Billing (Inmark), Lotel, Inc., d/b/a Coordinated Billing (Lotel),
Protel Advantage, Inc. (Protel) (collectively, Petitioners) seeking review
of the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (the Administrator)
Decision on Contributor Appeal. 3/12/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/13/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks to refresh the record
on issues raised in the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the
Lifeline and Link-Up docket. Because comments on the issue were filed
several years ago, the passage of time and intervening developments may
have rendered the records developed by those commenters stale. Moreover,
some issues raised by commenters may have become moot or irrelevant in
light of intervening events. For these reasons, the Bureau requests that
parties refresh the record with any new information or arguments they
believe to be relevant to deciding the issues still pending. The refreshed
record will enable the Commission to undertake appropriate consideration
of the issue of how best to provide support through the Lifeline and
Link-Up programs to more low-income individuals and families. 3/13/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/12/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks to refresh the record
on issues raised in the Twelfth Report and Order and Twenty-Fifth Report
and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the above proceeding
related to what constitutes a “near reservation” area for
federal Lifeline and Link-Up support purposes. Because comments on the
issue were filed several years ago, the passage of time and intervening
developments have rendered the records developed by those commenters
stale. Moreover, some issues raised by commenters may have become moot
or irrelevant in light of intervening events. For these reasons, the
Bureau requests that parties refresh the record with any new information
or arguments they believe to be relevant to deciding the issues still
pending. The refreshed record will enable the Commission to undertake
appropriate consideration of the issue of how best to provide support
through Lifeline and Link-Up to “near reservation” areas.
3/12/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/13/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) deny four appeals of decisions by the Universal
Service Administrative Company (USAC) reducing or denying funding from
the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (also known
as the E-rate program) for Funding Year 2001 on the grounds that they
failed to timely submit an FCC Form 486. Under the E-rate program, eligible
schools, libraries, and consortia that include eligible schools and libraries
may apply for discounts for eligible telecommunications services, Internet
access, and internal connections. After an applicant for discounted services
under the E-rate program has entered into agreements for eligible services
with one or more service providers, it must file an FCC Form 471 with
USAC. The FCC Form 471 notifies USAC of the services that have been ordered
and supplies an estimate of funds requested for eligible services. USAC
then issues a funding commitment decision letter indicating the funding,
if any, for which the applicant is approved to receive. After the funding
year begins and the applicant begins receiving services at the discounted
rate, the applicant submits an FCC Form 486 to USAC. The FCC Form 486
indicates that the service has begun, specifies the service start date
and demonstrates that the applicant has received approval of its technology
plans. The timely submission of FCC Form 486 ensures that disbursements
for discounts on eligible services occur in a prompt and efficient manner.
3/13/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/13/07
Public Notice: In the Second Report
and Order, the Commission changed its definition of “rural” for
the purposes of the rural health care support mechanism. In March 2005,
the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) filed a Petition for Reconsideration
of the Commission’s Second Report and Order, in which it requested
that the Commission grandfather, for an indefinite period of time, rural
sites that were no longer eligible for rural health care support under
the new definition of rural in the Second Report and Order, but which
were eligible prior to the date of the Second Report and Order. By this
Public Notice, we seek comment on the ATA Petition for Reconsideration.
3/13/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/13/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) address three appeals of decisions by the
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying requests for
funding under the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism.
The decisions at issue involve the denial of funding on the ground that
the underlying applications violated the Commission’s competitive
bidding requirements. As discussed below, we find that the Petitioners
complied with the Commission’s competitive bidding requirements
in place at the time of their applications. We therefore grant the appeals
and remand the underlying applications to USAC for further action consistent
with this Order. To ensure that the underlying applications are resolved
expeditiously, we direct USAC to complete its review of the applications
and issue a decision based on a complete review and analysis no later
than 90 days from release of this Order. 3/13/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/12/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) dismiss as moot the request of the Telecommunications
Regulatory Board of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Board) for clarification
or, in the alternative, waiver of section 54.311(b) of the Commission’s
rules. 3/12/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/9/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) granted requests by California Youth Authority,
Florence County School District 3, Lee County School District, and Moreno
Valley Unified School District (collectively, Applicants) for an extension
of the deadline for implementing non-recurring services under the E-rate
program. The Bureau extended, until September 30, 2008, the deadline
for Applicants to complete installation of non-recurring services for
the funding years at issue in their Extension Requests. 3/9/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/9/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) denied a Request for Waiver filed by the
Otsego Local School District seeking a waiver of the designation of its
district as “urban” under section 54.505(b)(3) of the Commission’s
rules by USAC for purposes of calculating its discount level under the
schools and libraries universal service support mechanism. 3/9/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/9/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) dismissed as moot a Request for Review filed
by Kress Independent School District Kress, seeking a service provider
identification number (SPIN) change and a service substitution. Upon
review of the record, the Bureau found that USAC had previously approved
Kress’s request. 3/9/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/9/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) granted a request for review filed by the
Tri-River Educational Computer Association (TRECA) of a decision by USAC
that denied TRECA funding from the schools and libraries universal service
support mechanism because USAC determined that TRECA failed to provide
evidence of its authority to represent its consortium members. 3/9/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/9/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) grants Requests for Waiver filed by 44 applicants
seeking waiver of the FCC Form 471 filing window deadline for Funding
Years 2004, 2005, 2006, or 2007 under the schools and libraries support
mechanism. The Bureau remands the underlying applications to USAC for
further action consistent with the Bishop Perry Order. 3/9/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
3/9/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau (Bureau) grants the petition of the Kentucky Department
of Education (Kentucky) seeking a waiver of section 54.504(c) of the
Commission’s rules to enable Kentucky schools to use state master
contracts to apply for universal service support under the schools and
libraries support mechanism for Funding Year 2005 and future funding
years. 3/9/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
2/12/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Dobson
Cellular Systems Inc. and American Cellular Corporation pursuant to section
54.207 of the Commission’s rules, requesting the Commission’s
agreement with the decision of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to
redefine the service areas of certain rural telephone companies in Oklahoma
at the wire center level. 2/12/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
2/9/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) will
hold an en banc hearing on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, in Washington,
DC. 2/9/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
2/8/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau grant a petition filed by Smith Bagley, Inc. (SBI)
seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) on
the Navajo Reservation (Reservation) in Utah pursuant to section 214(e)(6)
of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act). 2/8/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
2/8/07
Order: In this Order, the Telecommunications
Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau adopted a protective
order granting limited access to Exhibit E of the Cingular petition for
designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier in the Commonwealth
of Virginia. 2/8/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
2/6/07
Order on Reconsideration: In this Order,
the Commission grant a Petition filed by National LambdaRail, Inc. (NLR)
seeking reconsideration or, in the alternative, clarification of the
Commission’s order establishing a rural health care pilot program
to encourage the provision of telehealth and telemedicine services throughout
the nation. Specifically, we find that pilot program applicants may request
and, if selected, may receive funding to support up to 85 percent of
the cost of connecting state and regional broadband networks to the University
Corporation for Advanced Internet Development, Inc. (Internet2) or NLR.
We further find that an applicant that proposes to connect its state
or regional broadband networks to Internet2 or NLR may either (1) pre-select
Internet2 or NLR; or (2) seek a competitive bid for the provision of
nationwide backbone services from Internet2 or NLR. To ensure the success
of the pilot program, we expect that Internet2 and NLR will interconnect
or peer with each other. Finally, we provide applicants with an additional
thirty (30) days time to submit their applications to the Commission.
2/6/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
2/5/07
Public Notice: Due Dates Extended for
Comments and Reply Comments on Petition of Cingular Wireless, LLC for
Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of
Georgia. In the interest of developing a thorough and complete record
in this proceeding, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) hereby extends
the comment and reply comment filing deadlines. Parties therefore have
until February 20, 2007 to file comments on the Cingular Petition in
this docket, and until February 27, 2007 to file reply comments. 2/5/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
1/31/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Federal Communications Commission requires telecommunications providers
to register with the Commission, comply with periodic reporting requirements,
and contribute to certain regulatory programs. In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau reminds telecommunications providers
that are considered "de minimis" under the Commission’s rules of
how these requirements apply to them. 1/31/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
1/31/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau grant Hopi request to be designated as an ETC on the
Hopi Reservation and on a small portion of the Navajo Reservation in
Arizona. 1/31/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
1/26/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request by Pine Cellular Phones,
Inc. (Pine Cellular), an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in
Oklahoma, for a waiver of 54.307 of the Commission’s rules. 1/26/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
1/26/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request by MTA Communication
Inc. d/b/a MTA Wireless (MTAW), an eligible telecommunications carrier,
for a waiver of section 54.314(d) of the Commission’s rules. 1/26/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
1/26/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau granted a request by the Kansas Corporation
Commission (Kansas Commission) for a waiver of section 54.313 and 54.314
of the Commission’s rules. 1/26/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
1/26/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request by AT&T Communications
of NY and AT&T Communications of California (collectively, AT&T), eligible
telecommunications carriers (ETC), for a waiver of section 54.802(a)
of the Commission’s rules. 1/26/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
1/23/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau Invites Parties to Comment on the Petition
of Cingular Wireless, LLC for Designation as an ETC in the State of Georgia.
Comment Date: 2/6/07. Reply Comment Date: 2/13/07. 1/23/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
1/9/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau approves NECA’s proposed high-cost loop formula
and USAC’s proposed local switching support formula. As we have
done previously, we direct NECA and USAC to provide support to average
schedule carriers consistent with this Order retroactive to January 1,
2007. 1/9/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
1/4/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice,
the Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on a Petition filed by
American Cellular Corporation to Redefine the Service Areas of Certain
Rural Telephone Companies in the State of Minnesota. Comment Date: 1/18/07.
Reply Comment Date: 1/25/07. 1/4/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
1/1/07
Order: In this Order, the Wireline
Competition Bureau grants a request by NPCR, Inc. (NPCR), an eligible
telecommunications carrier (ETC), for a waiver of section 54.802(a) of
the Commission’s rules. 1/1/07. Word | Acrobat| Text
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