The FCC got some industry support for new supply chain rules designed to protect U.S. networks. But groups representing rural carriers raised concerns, and Huawei said the proposals aren't legal. Commissioners approved rules 5-0 in November barring equipment from Chinese vendors Huawei and ZTE in networks funded by the USF, and sought comment on whether to expand the prohibition (see 1911220033). Commenters urged coordination, especially with the Department of Homeland Security, and regulatory humility. Comments were posted Monday and Tuesday in docket 18-89.

States with their own broadband subsidy programs or partnered with federal programs could face reduced funding opportunities through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, after language was added to an order Wednesday, Democratic commissioners told reporters Thursday. Commissioners voted along party lines to approve the order for the $20.4 billion program. Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks approved in part and dissented in part.

"Categorical exclusion of all New York areas" from the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is "premature and imprudent given that certain areas of the state still lack broadband services," the New York State Broadband Program Office said in a phone call last week with Preston Wise, rural broadband adviser to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The state said FCC delays approving program awardees and complications arising from such conditions slowed deployment. Exclusion of New York from RDOF "could preclude the deployment of much-needed broadband services in the state, which would be especially inequitable given that New York has dedicated more funding than any other state in an effort to achieve universal availability," it said. The New York State Telecommunications Association said "citizens should not effectively be penalized due to the state's efforts to support broadband deployment," also posted in docket 19-126 Wednesday. It supported a Friday letter to Pai from 22 New York members of the U.S. House and a letter from the state's U.S. senators. Hudson Valley Wireless asked the FCC "to remove categorical exclusions and allow providers in New York to participate" in RDOF. New York and Alaska are excluded from the first phase of the $20 billion program, said the draft order up for a commissioners' vote Jan. 30 (see 2001140028). Broadband funding in New York comes from the New NY Broadband Program (see 1908120013), and in Alaska from the Alaska Plan (see 1912130039). The FCC voted to provide up to $170 million from the Connect America Fund to expand broadband deployment in unserved rural areas of New York in the first item the commission adopted under Pai’s leadership, a spokesperson emailed now: The state "combined this money with state funding and private investment to jump-start broadband deployment and close the digital divide across New York more quickly." The commission's "current estimate is that no areas in New York would be eligible for Phase I of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund," the spokesperson said. Phase 1 eligibility is limited to census block groups unserved by broadband.

"Categorical exclusion of all New York areas" from the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is "premature and imprudent given that certain areas of the state still lack broadband services," the New York State Broadband Program Office said in a phone call last week with Preston Wise, rural broadband adviser to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The state said FCC delays approving program awardees and complications arising from such conditions slowed deployment. Exclusion of New York from RDOF "could preclude the deployment of much-needed broadband services in the state, which would be especially inequitable given that New York has dedicated more funding than any other state in an effort to achieve universal availability," it said. The New York State Telecommunications Association said "citizens should not effectively be penalized due to the state's efforts to support broadband deployment," also posted in docket 19-126 Wednesday. It supported a Friday letter to Pai from 22 New York members of the U.S. House and a letter from the state's U.S. senators. Hudson Valley Wireless asked the FCC "to remove categorical exclusions and allow providers in New York to participate" in RDOF. New York and Alaska are excluded from the first phase of the $20 billion program, said the draft order up for a commissioners' vote Jan. 30 (see 2001140028). Broadband funding in New York comes from the New NY Broadband Program (see 1908120013), and in Alaska from the Alaska Plan (see 1912130039). The FCC voted to provide up to $170 million from the Connect America Fund to expand broadband deployment in unserved rural areas of New York in the first item the commission adopted under Pai’s leadership, a spokesperson emailed now: The state "combined this money with state funding and private investment to jump-start broadband deployment and close the digital divide across New York more quickly." The commission's "current estimate is that no areas in New York would be eligible for Phase I of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund," the spokesperson said. Phase 1 eligibility is limited to census block groups unserved by broadband.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands asked for a waiver of entity eligibility rules to apply for 2.5 GHz licenses during the upcoming tribal window (see 2001140059). “While the Commission expressly included Hawaiian Home Lands within the definition of tribal lands eligible for the Tribal Window, the Report & Order omitted native Hawaiians from the list of eligible applicants for the window, and therefore excluded them from the opportunity to access this spectrum,” the department said in FCC docket 18-120, posted Wednesday. National Tribal Telecommunications Association members met with the FCC Office of Native Affairs and Policy about the band. “NTTA representatives inquired about the timing of licensure for the 2.5 GHz spectrum offering and the need for education for Tribal entities on this issue, and the need for a new category of Tribal broadband carriers for the provision of Universal Service Fund support,” the group said.

State House Republicans floated a universal-service bill Tuesday to permit Indiana's Utility Regulatory Commission to require interconnected VoIP providers pay into state USF. Rep. J.D. Prescott and two others introduced HB-1304. It would authorize IURC to adjust the state USF surcharge percentage and make other rules to administer the fund. The bill adjusts broadband rules.

Rate-of-return carriers receiving Connect America Fund broadband loop USF support must report geolocated broadband information and send deployment certifications to the Universal Service Administrative Co. by March 1, 2021, said an FCC Wireline Bureau public notice for docket 10-90 and Tuesday's Daily Digest. The deadline applies to locations for which 25/3 Mbps or higher has been deployed since May 25, 2016.

State House Republicans floated a universal-service bill Tuesday to permit Indiana's Utility Regulatory Commission to require interconnected VoIP providers pay into state USF. Rep. J.D. Prescott and two others introduced HB-1304. It would authorize IURC to adjust the state USF surcharge percentage and make other rules to administer the fund. The bill adjusts broadband rules.

Rate-of-return carriers receiving Connect America Fund broadband loop USF support must report geolocated broadband information and send deployment certifications to the Universal Service Administrative Co. by March 1, 2021, said an FCC Wireline Bureau public notice for docket 10-90 and Tuesday's Daily Digest. The deadline applies to locations for which 25/3 Mbps or higher has been deployed since May 25, 2016.

With the FCC's Jan. 30 meeting agenda not including a draft order for a C-band auction, as earlier anticipated (see 1912130061), parties in the proceeding now expect one to land in February. Consensus isn't universal, and action could come later. Commissioners meet publicly Feb. 28, that month's last business day.