Industry lawyers are watching a pledge by FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly to develop rules to prevent new E-rate-subsidized fiber networks from overbuilding existing USF-funded broadband providers and "stealing" their prime customers, such as schools. Kelley Drye said in a Thursday email blast that "one of the most significant things to watch may be Commissioner O'Rielly's questioning of USAC [Universal Service Administrative Co.] over possible use of USF money to overbuild existing broadband networks." Joel Miller, O'Rielly's chief of staff, emailed us that "Commissioner O'Rielly has made fixing the problem of overbuilding a high priority." Several Texas telcos this week offered suggestions for an FCC rulemaking to oversee the matter (see 1905230005). O'Rielly also calls for legislative fixes to prevent duplicative spending on broadband across federal agencies, and if other agencies and departments become involved, to ensure proper coordination.

Industry lawyers are watching a pledge by FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly to develop rules to prevent new E-rate-subsidized fiber networks from overbuilding existing USF-funded broadband providers and "stealing" their prime customers, such as schools. Kelley Drye said in a Thursday email blast that "one of the most significant things to watch may be Commissioner O'Rielly's questioning of USAC [Universal Service Administrative Co.] over possible use of USF money to overbuild existing broadband networks." Joel Miller, O'Rielly's chief of staff, emailed us that "Commissioner O'Rielly has made fixing the problem of overbuilding a high priority." Several Texas telcos this week offered suggestions for an FCC rulemaking to oversee the matter (see 1905230005). O'Rielly also calls for legislative fixes to prevent duplicative spending on broadband across federal agencies, and if other agencies and departments become involved, to ensure proper coordination.

The House Commerce Committee is set to get dueling feedback from communications sector stakeholders Wednesday on broadband provisions in the Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s (Lift) America Act (HR-2741). The bill, refiled last week, would allocate $40 billion for broadband projects, $12 billion in grants for implementing next-generation 911 technologies and $5 billion for a loan and credit program for broadband projects. Democrats first filed the bill in 2017 (see 1706020056). The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn.

The House Commerce Committee is set to get dueling feedback from communications sector stakeholders Wednesday on broadband provisions in the Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s (Lift) America Act (HR-2741). The bill, refiled last week, would allocate $40 billion for broadband projects, $12 billion in grants for implementing next-generation 911 technologies and $5 billion for a loan and credit program for broadband projects. Democrats first filed the bill in 2017 (see 1706020056). The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn.

Demand for upfront payments and multiyear commitments exceeded a $150 million cap for the first time in the history of the Rural Health Care Fund, said an FCC order Monday to provide full funding for all eligible requests for FY 2018. The agency said in docket 02-60 it has suspended its multiyear commitment rule for participants in the RHC program, which is backed by the Universal Service Administrative Co. and provides broadband assistance to rural healthcare providers. The order instructs USAC to designate contracts associated with multiyear funding requests as "evergreen" to exempt them from annual competitive bidding requirements. The commission extended the filing window for 2019 applications from May 31 to June 30, after some groups were concerned (see 1903190019). "We need to evaluate and better understand the growth in demand for the Healthcare Connect Fund, so we can stay ahead of changes and enable the program to meet the needs of those it serves," said Commissioner Geoffrey Starks in an accompanying statement.

Demand for upfront payments and multiyear commitments exceeded a $150 million cap for the first time in the history of the Rural Health Care Fund, said an FCC order Monday to provide full funding for all eligible requests for FY 2018. The agency said in docket 02-60 it has suspended its multiyear commitment rule for participants in the RHC program, which is backed by the Universal Service Administrative Co. and provides broadband assistance to rural healthcare providers. The order instructs USAC to designate contracts associated with multiyear funding requests as "evergreen" to exempt them from annual competitive bidding requirements. The commission extended the filing window for 2019 applications from May 31 to June 30, after some groups were concerned (see 1903190019). "We need to evaluate and better understand the growth in demand for the Healthcare Connect Fund, so we can stay ahead of changes and enable the program to meet the needs of those it serves," said Commissioner Geoffrey Starks in an accompanying statement.

The House Task Force on Rural Broadband is a positive step toward improving internet connectivity in unserved areas of the U.S., but will need to come up with concrete legislative recommendations to be an effective policy player, communications sector officials and lobbyists told us. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., led formation of the group, which he announced Monday. President Donald Trump in late April agreed with top congressional Democrats to pursue $2 trillion in spending on broadband and other infrastructure projects (see 1904300194). The task force is one of several Capitol Hill pushes on broadband legislation, though some remain skeptical about the prospects for an overarching infrastructure funding bill.

The House Task Force on Rural Broadband is a positive step toward improving internet connectivity in unserved areas of the U.S., but will need to come up with concrete legislative recommendations to be an effective policy player, communications sector officials and lobbyists told us. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., led formation of the group, which he announced Monday. President Donald Trump in late April agreed with top congressional Democrats to pursue $2 trillion in spending on broadband and other infrastructure projects (see 1904300194). The task force is one of several Capitol Hill pushes on broadband legislation, though some remain skeptical about the prospects for an overarching infrastructure funding bill.

Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Thune (R) led a letter with the two other members of South Dakota's congressional delegation Thursday urging the FCC to improve the accuracy of its broadband coverage data. The issue has repeatedly drawn the ire of lawmakers, most recently during a Tuesday Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee hearing on FY 2020 budget requests (see 1905070072). “Broadband connectivity provides opportunities for advancements in health care, education, and economic development,” Thune and fellow Republicans Sen. Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson wrote FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “It is critical that the FCC take swift action to update its broadband data and mapping to ensure inaccurate information will not result in a denial of access to fixed or mobile broadband. A validated set of data based upon standardized methods of granular reporting will be essential to ensuring that universal service is available throughout rural America.” The agency didn't comment. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., led filing last week of the Broadband Interagency Coordination Act. S-1294 would direct the FCC, NTIA and Agriculture Department to sign a memorandum of understanding to coordinate on broadband funding, including considering “basing the distribution of funds for broadband deployment … on standardized” broadband coverage data (see 1905020058).

Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Thune (R) led a letter with the two other members of South Dakota's congressional delegation Thursday urging the FCC to improve the accuracy of its broadband coverage data. The issue has repeatedly drawn the ire of lawmakers, most recently during a Tuesday Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee hearing on FY 2020 budget requests (see 1905070072). “Broadband connectivity provides opportunities for advancements in health care, education, and economic development,” Thune and fellow Republicans Sen. Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson wrote FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “It is critical that the FCC take swift action to update its broadband data and mapping to ensure inaccurate information will not result in a denial of access to fixed or mobile broadband. A validated set of data based upon standardized methods of granular reporting will be essential to ensuring that universal service is available throughout rural America.” The agency didn't comment. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., led filing last week of the Broadband Interagency Coordination Act. S-1294 would direct the FCC, NTIA and Agriculture Department to sign a memorandum of understanding to coordinate on broadband funding, including considering “basing the distribution of funds for broadband deployment … on standardized” broadband coverage data (see 1905020058).