USF Buildout Models Don't Mirror Reality, NTCA Says
NTCA said models used to develop buildout obligations for high-cost universal service funds often render counts of locations that don't resemble “facts on the ground” in rural areas, talking with an aide to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. That gap is…
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particularly pronounced when measured on a more granular basis for compliance with deployment duties under the Connect America Fund Phase II auction and the alternative cost America model, it said. NTCA said that mismatch could turn providers off from ACAM support. It said the agency should do a "forensic investigation" into the models and direct Universal Service Administrative Co. to give a more reasonable interpretation of what's a home-based business. The group said for improved broadband mapping, there needs to be more detailed standardization of availability reporting requirements upfront, including a definition of assumed network capabilities and propagation characteristics. Without those details, more granular reporting would still be of marginal value when establishing more accurate maps, it said. There's need for a validation and challenge process to ensure accuracy, it said, per a docket 10-90 posting Thursday.