AT&T “must correct and certify” by March 1 its reported broadband deployments paid for with USF Connect America Fund Phase II money, then-FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., in a letter released Wednesday. Thompson wrote Pai in October about his “serious concerns” about AT&T “falsely claiming” after receiving $283 million in USF Connect America Fund Phase II funding “to have created new broadband service in places they have not, for people that are not receiving broadband service.” Thompson cited Mississippi Public Service Commission claims the carrier sent false information to Universal Service Administrative Co. AT&T disputes the findings (see 2010080055). The FCC is “in receipt” of the Mississippi PSC’s findings and is “reviewing this matter,” Pai said. “We must demand fiscal responsibility and accountability -- funds should be stretched as far as possible and they should be used for the sole purpose of delivering connectivity to consumers.” USAC routinely conducts random audits of carriers, and those “found in violation of Commission rules may be subject to enforcement action and forfeiture, as appropriate,” Pai said.

AT&T “must correct and certify” by March 1 its reported broadband deployments paid for with USF Connect America Fund Phase II money, then-FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., in a letter released Wednesday. Thompson wrote Pai in October about his “serious concerns” about AT&T “falsely claiming” after receiving $283 million in USF Connect America Fund Phase II funding “to have created new broadband service in places they have not, for people that are not receiving broadband service.” Thompson cited Mississippi Public Service Commission claims the carrier sent false information to Universal Service Administrative Co. AT&T disputes the findings (see 2010080055). The FCC is “in receipt” of the Mississippi PSC’s findings and is “reviewing this matter,” Pai said. “We must demand fiscal responsibility and accountability -- funds should be stretched as far as possible and they should be used for the sole purpose of delivering connectivity to consumers.” USAC routinely conducts random audits of carriers, and those “found in violation of Commission rules may be subject to enforcement action and forfeiture, as appropriate,” Pai said.

Providers, regulators and advocacy groups urged the FCC to establish broad eligibility criteria for its $3.2 billion emergency broadband fund and begin the program as soon as possible (see 2101070052). Several suggested relying on Lifeline rules. Some urged working with other federal agencies on data-sharing agreements to ensure all eligible households can enroll. Comments were due Monday.

Consider alternatives to verify providers' eligibility for the emergency broadband relief fund due to "the shortcomings of the National Verifier database," digital and civil rights groups led by Public Knowledge told FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, per a filing posted Tuesday in docket 20-445. Free Press, MediaJustice, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and Gigi Sohn of the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy participated. Set criteria for new entrants that encourage "participation by a broad array of providers," including noneligible telecom carriers, the groups recommended, and include periodic reporting so Universal Service Administrative Co. can track how much funding remains available throughout the program and a method for notifying program participants about their eligibility for Lifeline services. The groups raised concerns about public awareness of the fund and recommended the commission use some administrative funds for marketing campaigns (see 2101070052). Adopt "plug and play" materials to inform and reach eligible participants, they said. Starks has been meeting with such groups on their recommendations.

Consider alternatives to verify providers' eligibility for the emergency broadband relief fund due to "the shortcomings of the National Verifier database," digital and civil rights groups led by Public Knowledge told FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, per a filing posted Tuesday in docket 20-445. Free Press, MediaJustice, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and Gigi Sohn of the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy participated. Set criteria for new entrants that encourage "participation by a broad array of providers," including noneligible telecom carriers, the groups recommended, and include periodic reporting so Universal Service Administrative Co. can track how much funding remains available throughout the program and a method for notifying program participants about their eligibility for Lifeline services. The groups raised concerns about public awareness of the fund and recommended the commission use some administrative funds for marketing campaigns (see 2101070052). Adopt "plug and play" materials to inform and reach eligible participants, they said. Starks has been meeting with such groups on their recommendations.

Consider alternatives to verify providers' eligibility for the emergency broadband relief fund due to "the shortcomings of the National Verifier database," digital and civil rights groups led by Public Knowledge told FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, per a filing posted Tuesday in docket 20-445. Free Press, MediaJustice, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and Gigi Sohn of the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy participated. Set criteria for new entrants that encourage "participation by a broad array of providers," including noneligible telecom carriers, the groups recommended, and include periodic reporting so Universal Service Administrative Co. can track how much funding remains available throughout the program and a method for notifying program participants about their eligibility for Lifeline services. The groups raised concerns about public awareness of the fund and recommended the commission use some administrative funds for marketing campaigns (see 2101070052). Adopt "plug and play" materials to inform and reach eligible participants, they said. Starks has been meeting with such groups on their recommendations.

Montana Public Service Commission elects James Brown chairman, succeeding Bob Lake, term-limited after eight years at the agency; Brad Johnson reelected vice chair; and Brown and Jennifer Fielder join the PSC after being elected to four-year terms, to which Tony O’Donnell was reelected; all those commissioners are Republicans ... At Arizona Corporation Commission, Lea Marquez Peterson (R) elected chair, saying her immediate priorities include helping bring broadband "to rural communities through a broadband transition of the Arizona Universal Service Fund High-Cost Fund"; meanwhile, Marquez Peterson is sworn in for a four-year term, as are new Commissioners Anna Tovar (D) and Jim O’Connor (R); for more on the new members, see our report here.

Montana Public Service Commission elects James Brown chairman, succeeding Bob Lake, term-limited after eight years at the agency; Brad Johnson reelected vice chair; and Brown and Jennifer Fielder join the PSC after being elected to four-year terms, to which Tony O’Donnell was reelected; all those commissioners are Republicans ... At Arizona Corporation Commission, Lea Marquez Peterson (R) elected chair, saying her immediate priorities include helping bring broadband "to rural communities through a broadband transition of the Arizona Universal Service Fund High-Cost Fund"; meanwhile, Marquez Peterson is sworn in for a four-year term, as are new Commissioners Anna Tovar (D) and Jim O’Connor (R); for more on the new members, see our report here.

Texas legislators probably can’t quickly fix a state USF on the brink of collapse, a top state lawmaker told us Friday. The Public Utility Commission, which has been unwilling to make changes on its own authority, sought legislative guidance in a competition report this month. AT&T and cable companies agreed it's the legislature's job. Small telcos facing possible bankruptcy worry legislative relief won’t come fast enough, said Texas Telephone Association (TTA) Executive Director Mark Seale. Nebraska and Oklahoma commissioners could soon make USF contribution method changes after hearings this and last week.

Hudson Institute adds Mike O’Rielly, ex-FCC commissioner, as a visiting fellow in its Center for the Economics of the Internet ... Internet Association hires Amy Bos from National Association of Realtors as director-federal government affairs ... Comcast's Sky Group CEO Jeremy Darroch moves to executive chairman, Sky; Comcast Cable President-Consumer Services Dana Strong succeeds him, promoted to group CEO of Sky, reporting to Comcast Chairman-CEO Brian Roberts.