A number of modified reporting requirements adopted by the FCC last fall in its mammoth decision overhauling the Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation system have now kicked in.… Continue Reading
Check it out: a semi-brief overview, from the wireless perspective, of the massive order overhauling the Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation system.… Continue Reading
Call me Ishmael! That's how the Commission might have opened its leviathan Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the proceeding to overhaul the Universal Service Fund.… Continue Reading
The FCC has adopted a framework by which to (a) reform and re-purpose the distribution of billions of dollars in Universal Service Fund money and (b) revise the financial arrangements governing the exchange of traffic between all categories of carriers.… Continue Reading
Ask about the spectrum inventory the FCC has supposedly conducted and the Commission points you to two "tools" on its website -- but the FCC's website itself casts serious doubt on the utility of those tools and the accuracy of any results they might produce.… Continue Reading
The Commission has invited comments on a wide range of proposed changes to the Lifeline and Link Up components of the Low-Income program funded by the Universal Service Fund.… Continue Reading
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step . . . and also (when it comes to overhauling the Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation regime) with a 229-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. We summarize that NPRM here.… Continue Reading
While the FCC dangles the possibility of shared auction proceeds to generate support for TV spectrum re-purposing, there's one nagging problem: the FCC doesn't have the statutory authority to share those proceeds. But three bills introduced in Congress this session might resolve that problem.… Continue Reading
Deadlines for comments on the FCC's proposal to overhaul the Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation system have been set.… Continue Reading
The Chief of the Media Bureau recently spoke to broadcasters, preaching the gospel of incentive auctions. His message: We come in peace, with broadcasters' interests at heart. Broadcasters might be forgiven if, at least for now, they opt for skepticism over unquestioning acceptance.… Continue Reading
As far as the FCC is concerned, it's apparently full speed ahead with the effort to encourage TV broadcasters to relinquish their spectrum so that it can be used to further the National Broadband Plan. The Commission has informally announced a series of webinars promoting the concept.… Continue Reading
Comment deadlines have just been set in the proceeding which would pave the way for the re-purposing of TV spectrum for broadband use.… Continue Reading
Back in December the FCC adopted an Order permitting it to re-purpose monies relinquished by carriers who are no longer ETCs in particular states. From the text of the Order, we thought the Commission wanted to make the Order "effective" as of December 30. Now we're not so sure.… Continue Reading
It's official! The FCC had grabbed hold of USF funds left on the table when Verizon Wireless and Sprint-Nextel gave up their ETC status in certain markets (in fulfillment of conditions placed on approvals of their mergers).… Continue Reading
That muffled sound you might have heard on November 30 was the opening barrage in the long-anticipated struggle to revamp the TV spectrum.… Continue Reading
Chairman Genachowski recently took to the pages of the Washington Post in defense of the FCC's broadband initiative. FHH's Peter Tannenwald now takes to CommLawBlog.com with a decidedly different perspective on that initiative.… Continue Reading
Those of you awaiting the unveiling of the FCC's plan for re-purposing TV spectrum may want to get warmed up by leafing through two reports just issued by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).… Continue Reading
Effective immediately, the FCC has terminated acceptance of any applications for new low power TV or TV translator stations or major changes in existing stations in all areas, rural and non-rural alike.… Continue Reading
Deadlines for comments and replies on the FCC's proposal to "reclaim" some USF funds and redirect them toward broadband have been established.… Continue Reading
