NTCA Asks FCC to Alter Bureau 'Location' Definitions; NARUC Praises PN, Seeks New Step
NTCA asked the FCC to revise parts of a Wireline Bureau public notice that directed telcos to report geo-located broadband data and certify service milestones to Universal Service Administrative Co. (see 1612080050). The full commission should modify or clarify aspects…
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of the Dec. 8 PN's "location" definitions to the extent they conflict with the Communications Act, said the rural telco group's application for review Monday in docket 10-90. The FCC should "revise three of the categorical exclusions included as part of the guidance provided in the Public Notice to: (1) ensure that business locations can be counted as 'locations' served where the connections to them are broadband-capable and regardless of what service any given business customer may then choose to take; (2) ensure that wireless infrastructure sites can be counted as 'locations' served where the connections to them are broadband-capable; and (3) ensure that community anchor institutions can be counted as 'locations served where the connections to them are broadband-capable," NTCA said. In a filing posted Tuesday in docket 09-51, NARUC praised the PN's guidance on telco reporting and certification obligations, and it welcomed USAC outreach efforts. NARUC said recent FCC actions appear to address almost all of the requests contained in a resolution adopted by its members in November. "One crucial request that remains outstanding, is the critical need for some clarification of how State commissions and relevant Tribal and territorial authorities can dispute the accuracy of data being reported" by Connect America Fund recipients, NARUC wrote. "The FCC should, at a minimum, create a process for States to dispute the accuracy of carrier reported information and consider specifying carriers provide the same data directly with the certificating authority."