Revenue from contributions to state USFs has declined in multiple jurisdictions, we found last week from state USF financial documents and from interviewing state and industry officials. Those officials cited a variety of reasons for the falling revenue. Some cited outdated contribution methodology, while others said the drop is part of deliberate efforts to control the size of funds. Some states reported efforts to revamp USF contribution methodology, and one said its hands were tied by state legislation.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission voted 3-0 Thursday to approve final emergency rules to implement state legislation aimed at modernizing the Oklahoma Universal Service Fund. The law, signed May 9 by Gov. Mary Fallin (R), made administrative tweaks and updated the OUSF to account for technology changes, including a provision requiring interconnected VoIP providers to contribute. Per Oklahoma rules, the commission order still needs approval by the governor. At the OCC’s meeting, Chairman Bob Anthony called for strong auditing of the fund, saying the rules should specify that government officials can call for a special audit, paid for by the OUSF, when appropriate. “I have made the statement numerous times that we have overpaid out of this program millions of dollars,” he said. The new law is a step forward for the OUSF, emailed Deborah Sovereign, chief financial officer of Kellogg & Sovereign, a consulting firm that advises schools and libraries on the E-rate program. “Once fully implemented, we expect the fund demand to decrease."
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission voted 3-0 Thursday to approve final emergency rules to implement state legislation aimed at modernizing the Oklahoma Universal Service Fund. The law, signed May 9 by Gov. Mary Fallin (R), made administrative tweaks and updated the OUSF to account for technology changes, including a provision requiring interconnected VoIP providers to contribute. Per Oklahoma rules, the commission order still needs approval by the governor. At the OCC’s meeting, Chairman Bob Anthony called for strong auditing of the fund, saying the rules should specify that government officials can call for a special audit, paid for by the OUSF, when appropriate. “I have made the statement numerous times that we have overpaid out of this program millions of dollars,” he said. The new law is a step forward for the OUSF, emailed Deborah Sovereign, chief financial officer of Kellogg & Sovereign, a consulting firm that advises schools and libraries on the E-rate program. “Once fully implemented, we expect the fund demand to decrease."
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton scored initial praise Tuesday from such groups as Free Press, Public Knowledge and TechNet for her plans on telecom and tech policy. Clinton’s agenda promised a defense of net neutrality, backing for a commission to study encryption issues, and details about an ambitious broadband deployment plan that she unveiled in December as part of her infrastructure plans (see 1511300025).
FairPoint Communications will no longer pay into USF for the wholesale broadband telecom service it plans to take private, said an official for another rural-oriented carrier that has similar plans. "This is really about USF," said Trey Judy, Hargray Communications director-regulatory affairs. "I think other companies are going to follow suit. ... It’s just correcting an inequity that’s been there for a while," he told us, citing cable competitors as not paying into the fund for their broadband offerings. "This puts [rural telcos] on a level playing field." Separately, Republican FCC commissioners recently voiced concern the agency could begin to assess industry broadband revenue in general to pay for USF.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton scored initial praise Tuesday from such groups as Free Press, Public Knowledge and TechNet for her plans on telecom and tech policy. Clinton’s agenda promised a defense of net neutrality, backing for a commission to study encryption issues, and details about an ambitious broadband deployment plan that she unveiled in December as part of her infrastructure plans (see 1511300025).
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton scored initial praise Tuesday from such groups as Free Press, Public Knowledge and TechNet for her plans on telecom and tech policy. Clinton’s agenda promised a defense of net neutrality, backing for a commission to study encryption issues, and details about an ambitious broadband deployment plan that she unveiled in December as part of her infrastructure plans (see 1511300025).
FairPoint Communications will no longer pay into USF for the wholesale broadband telecom service it plans to take private, said an official for another rural-oriented carrier that has similar plans. "This is really about USF," said Trey Judy, Hargray Communications director-regulatory affairs. "I think other companies are going to follow suit. ... It’s just correcting an inequity that’s been there for a while," he told us, citing cable competitors as not paying into the fund for their broadband offerings. "This puts [rural telcos] on a level playing field." Separately, Republican FCC commissioners recently voiced concern the agency could begin to assess industry broadband revenue in general to pay for USF.
The potential impact on the telecom sector of a U.K. vote to leave the EU is uncertain and subject to widely varying views, attorneys and consultants told us. The EU referendum takes place Thursday, and the outcome is reportedly too close to call. Brexit (British exit from EU) might -- or might not -- adversely affect the U.K. and/or EU telecom sector, or, conversely, could allow Britain to become a vital player on the world stage, they said.
The potential impact on the telecom sector of a U.K. vote to leave the EU is uncertain and subject to widely varying views, attorneys and consultants told us. The EU referendum takes place Thursday, and the outcome is reportedly too close to call. Brexit (British exit from EU) might -- or might not -- adversely affect the U.K. and/or EU telecom sector, or, conversely, could allow Britain to become a vital player on the world stage, they said.