All in Universal Service

USF Contributions: NTCA Paper Says Including Broadband In Services That Contribute To The Universal Service Fund Won’t Harm Broadband Adoption

A new paper released by NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association finds that broadening the base of contributions to the Universal Service Fund by including both voice and broadband connections would not harm consumer broadband adoption and retention.

April 2020 News Update

An update on news from April 2020.

FCC Releases Preliminary List Of Areas Eligible For Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I Support; Challenges Due April 10th

The FCC has released a preliminary list of census blocks that have been deemed initially eligible for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction. The announcement begins a limited challenge process which gives parties an opportunity to identify by April 10, 2020, any of the listed census blocks that should not be eligible for support.

FCC Eliminates E-Rate Amortization Rule For New Or Upgraded Fiber Deployments

The FCC has eliminated an E-Rate Program rule requiring schools and libraries to amortize over three years upfront, non-recurring charges of $500,000 or more for category one services. The decision is expected to help increase the deployment of fiber and other broadband infrastructure to the nation’s schools and libraries.

FCC Estimates Six Million Locations Eligible For Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I Support

The FCC recently released a draft Report and Order establishing a framework for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). Phase I of the RDOF will target $16 billion in support to census blocks that do not have any 25/3 Mbps broadband service. The FCC initially estimates six million locations could be eligible for support in Phase I of the RDOF.