Alaska Communications Systems asked the FCC and Universal Service Administrative Co. to fix problems with updating broadband deployment data in USAC's high cost universal broadband (HUBB) system. Noting it discovered inaccurate data it previously certified, ACS said it's now able to more precisely identify the locations to which it has deployed services through Connect America Fund Phase II support. "ACS is unable to modify the location identification coordinates or remove locations in the HUBB -- the system does not permit these updates," filed ACS, posted Monday in docket 10-90, attaching updated location data as part of a certification requirement. "The HUBB system allows manual edits to address locations but not deleting or updating the geo-coding information," the telco said, noting USAC personnel must handle certain edits and some corrections must be uploaded one location at a time. ACS understands other carriers had similar problems. "We are aware of the carrier’s complaints about the HUBB system, and are working to make certain modifications while maintaining the integrity of the data," an FCC spokesperson emailed. Friday, Frontier Communications told the FCC that further review showed the telco was in compliance with a 60 percent CAF II deployment milestone in Nebraska and New Mexico but fell just short in Arizona and Ohio. "Frontier reached more than 57% of its target in both states and thus does not trigger the Commission's non-compliance measures," the company said, noting a rule saying "a shortfall of less than 5% of locations for a given interim milestone should not be a concern warranting additional monitoring."

The FCC adjusted deadlines for funding years 2016 and 2017 for 18 E-rate applicants affected by a system error. Universal Service Administrative Co. learned in March 2018 its E-Rate Productivity Center gave an incorrect service implementation deadline to some "special construction" applicants, which then caused USAC's system to assign an incorrect invoicing deadline, said a Wireline Bureau order in Thursday's Daily Digest and docket 02-6. USAC corrected the error last March to avoid further problems. "To prevent the affected applicants from the hardship of having their funding subject to recovery or their invoices rejected by USAC as a result of their reliance on these incorrect deadlines, on our own motion, we grant a limited, one-time waiver of the Commission’s special construction service implementation deadline," the order said. The applicants include the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

The FCC adjusted deadlines for funding years 2016 and 2017 for 18 E-rate applicants affected by a system error. Universal Service Administrative Co. learned in March 2018 its E-Rate Productivity Center gave an incorrect service implementation deadline to some "special construction" applicants, which then caused USAC's system to assign an incorrect invoicing deadline, said a Wireline Bureau order in Thursday's Daily Digest and docket 02-6. USAC corrected the error last March to avoid further problems. "To prevent the affected applicants from the hardship of having their funding subject to recovery or their invoices rejected by USAC as a result of their reliance on these incorrect deadlines, on our own motion, we grant a limited, one-time waiver of the Commission’s special construction service implementation deadline," the order said. The applicants include the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said Wednesday he favors reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act, one of several communications policy issues the committee is “intent on moving” on this year. Wicker said during an Incompas event he is bullish about advancing privacy legislation but less certain about prospects for bills on net neutrality and improving conditions for 5G. Other federal officials meanwhile noted there's no 5G "killer app" yet.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said Wednesday he favors reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act, one of several communications policy issues the committee is “intent on moving” on this year. Wicker said during an Incompas event he is bullish about advancing privacy legislation but less certain about prospects for bills on net neutrality and improving conditions for 5G. Other federal officials meanwhile noted there's no 5G "killer app" yet.

Windstream expects to continue operating normally after its Chapter 11 filing Monday seeking to restructure debt in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (see 1902250025). The FCC welcomed the assurance but vowed to remain vigilant on potential USF and 911 ramifications. Others suggested more Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings are possible and cited difficult economics for rural-oriented telcos. Some had suggested Windstream could seek Chapter 11 after a federal district court reversal in its dispute with bondholder Aurelius Capital Management (see 1902190043). Moody's Friday downgraded the carrier (see 1902220057) .

The Lifeline National Verifier (NV) should “not be transitioned until the verifier is provided access" to the Medicare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program databases, California Public Utilities Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves told FCC commissioners and the Wireline Bureau in meetings last week. The CPUC member met separately Monday and Tuesday during the NARUC conference with Chairman Ajit Pai, Commissioners Mike O’Rielly, Brendan Carr, Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks, and Telecom Access Policy Division Chief Ryan Palmer, said ex-parte letters in docket 11-60. Some federal Lifeline revisions could harm the California program, “especially if done without a proper transition,” said Guzman Aceves, who raised concerns about the NV, program budget and the FCC’s proposal to limit Lifeline to facility-based providers. Lifeline was a hot topic at the NARUC conference, where commissioners agreed to a resolution urging the FCC and Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC) ensure the NV accesses state databases required to automatically check user eligibility (see 1902130052). In commissioner meetings, Guzman Aceves also discussed CPUC efforts to prevent wildfires and the need to increase communications infrastructure resiliency. Hardware was to blame for most 911 system failures in 2018, which could be prevented with adequate investment and maintenance, she said. The CPUC wants to find areas of joint jurisdiction with the FCC “to restore wireless as infrastructure burns and address first responder concerns like the need for backup power for 911 selective routers,” she said. Guzman Aceves told the bureau and commissioners she wanted to better align the California Advanced Services Fund with the federal Connect America Fund. The California commissioner “described the challenges and drain on resources the CPUC has faced in obtaining data regarding whether an area is served as the carriers will not provide information on where they are building.” The FCC "could help substantially with this transparency issue by requiring USAC to collect data at the most granular level possible (address level), in order to avoid duplication of work at the state level for verifying if an area is in fact served or not,” she said.

Reactions were mixed to an FCC draft that would find broadband deployment is meeting a Telecom Act Section 706 mandate. Broadband providers and others welcomed a positive finding and credited the commission with clearing deployment obstacles, while consumer advocates were skeptical and slammed agency leadership. Chairman Ajit Pai Tuesday circulated a draft report internally that broadband-like advanced telecom capability is being deployed in a "reasonable and timely" way (see 1902190057). The report was due out Feb. 5 but delayed by the government shutdown. It might be put on the tentative agenda for the March 15 commissioners' meeting, which Pai is expected to highlight Thursday.

Reactions were mixed to an FCC draft that would find broadband deployment is meeting a Telecom Act Section 706 mandate. Broadband providers and others welcomed a positive finding and credited the commission with clearing deployment obstacles, while consumer advocates were skeptical and slammed agency leadership. Chairman Ajit Pai Tuesday circulated a draft report internally that broadband-like advanced telecom capability is being deployed in a "reasonable and timely" way (see 1902190057). The report was due out Feb. 5 but delayed by the government shutdown. It might be put on the tentative agenda for the March 15 commissioners' meeting, which Pai is expected to highlight Thursday.

The FCC warned staff it lacks reserve funds to stay open in the event of another partial federal shutdown. Trade groups said they're hopeful government stays open, with some concerns if it doesn't. The agency confirmed Wednesday (see 1902130018) it sent memo to all workers saying most FCC operations would shut down at midnight Friday absent a budget agreement.