The business of Internet, wireless, and telecom law.

USF Reform– Untangling the Line: Part II

Posted by Barlow Keener

On April 18, 2011, comments were due for the USF Reform Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making.   Various parties filed 130+ comments.  Reply comments are due on May 23, 2011.    USF reform comments were filed by ILECs, RLECs, CLECs, state commissions, fiber providers, cable companies, mobile providers, associations, and [...]

USF: Subsidizing Rural America, Untangling the Line

Posted by Barlow Keener

On February 9, 2011, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on numerous proposed changes to “fundamentally modernize” the USF (Universal Service Fund) and another subsidy program called the “intercarrier compensation system.”  The USF “High Cost Fund” is a multibillion dollar annual subsidy created in [...]