With panels on some of the major telecom concerns, NARUC’s upcoming winter committee meetings will offer some robust discussion, commissioners told us in interviews Thursday. The telecom committee panels Feb. 14-17 coincide with some active proceedings at the FCC, as well, NARUC members said, with topics including Lifeline, carrier of last resort (COLR) and enabling competition in a broadband world, the agenda shows. FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai is expected to speak at a general session about the commission pre-empting state laws on municipal broadband, net neutrality and inmate calling.

Removing the states' abilities to designate eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) could have negative effects, the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) said in an ex parte filing Monday to FCC docket 11-42. Among its main concerns, the PSC is worried about waste, fraud and abuse increasing if the states aren't allowed to maintain their authority, the letter said. In Michigan particularly, state oversight provides an "efficient means" for companies seeking high-cost support or Lifeline reimbursement, the PSC said. States such as Michigan have more familiarity with the geographic areas and marketplace in which the ETCs are applying for designation, so states’ experience and knowledge in these areas help to fight waste, fraud and abuse, save the FCC time and resources, and help preserve universal service funds, the letter said.

Removing the states' abilities to designate eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) could have negative effects, the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) said in an ex parte filing Monday to FCC docket 11-42. Among its main concerns, the PSC is worried about waste, fraud and abuse increasing if the states aren't allowed to maintain their authority, the letter said. In Michigan particularly, state oversight provides an "efficient means" for companies seeking high-cost support or Lifeline reimbursement, the PSC said. States such as Michigan have more familiarity with the geographic areas and marketplace in which the ETCs are applying for designation, so states’ experience and knowledge in these areas help to fight waste, fraud and abuse, save the FCC time and resources, and help preserve universal service funds, the letter said.

The Obama administration’s FY 2017 proposal would include funding to continue FCC headquarters relocation and to overhaul the agency’s IT systems, with money for what it calls a geospatial information system solution. Tuesday's proposal also includes provisions on auctioning the 1675-1680 MHz band and calls for an FTC transaction fee change for especially expensive deals.

The Obama administration’s FY 2017 proposal would include funding to continue FCC headquarters relocation and to overhaul the agency’s IT systems, with money for what it calls a geospatial information system solution. Tuesday's proposal also includes provisions on auctioning the 1675-1680 MHz band and calls for an FTC transaction fee change for especially expensive deals.

The FCC would reduce rural telcos’ rate of return from 11.25 percent to 9.75 percent over six years under a USTelecom and NTCA proposal to revamp USF mechanisms for broadband coverage. The groups also proposed broadband buildout obligations requiring RLECs to reach up to 80 percent of unserved locations over five years and a screen for phasing out USF support in high-cost areas where unsubsidized competitors reach 85 percent of locations, said a filing posted Monday in docket 10-90. It summarized a meeting last week with senior FCC officials, including Chairman Tom Wheeler. NTCA, WTA and individual RLECs made separate filings citing concerns and offering proposals. Wheeler is said to be interested in circulating a draft order soon (see 1602040055).

The FCC would reduce rural telcos’ rate of return from 11.25 percent to 9.75 percent over six years under a USTelecom and NTCA proposal to revamp USF mechanisms for broadband coverage. The groups also proposed broadband buildout obligations requiring RLECs to reach up to 80 percent of unserved locations over five years and a screen for phasing out USF support in high-cost areas where unsubsidized competitors reach 85 percent of locations, said a filing posted Monday in docket 10-90. It summarized a meeting last week with senior FCC officials, including Chairman Tom Wheeler. NTCA, WTA and individual RLECs made separate filings citing concerns and offering proposals. Wheeler is said to be interested in circulating a draft order soon (see 1602040055).

A group seeking changes to rural healthcare USF received more opposition than support for its FCC petition to open a new rulemaking, in reply comments posted Friday and Monday in docket 02-60. Alaska Communications, CenturyLink and NTCA expressed resistance to the rulemaking petition filed by the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition. Although the SHLB filed a reply supporting its petition, and the Salvation Army’s Alaska Division and Utah Education Network sought certain changes, the latter two didn't voice clear-cut support for the petition. Initial comments were divided (see 1601150060).

A group seeking changes to rural healthcare USF received more opposition than support for its FCC petition to open a new rulemaking, in reply comments posted Friday and Monday in docket 02-60. Alaska Communications, CenturyLink and NTCA expressed resistance to the rulemaking petition filed by the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition. Although the SHLB filed a reply supporting its petition, and the Salvation Army’s Alaska Division and Utah Education Network sought certain changes, the latter two didn't voice clear-cut support for the petition. Initial comments were divided (see 1601150060).

The Senate Communications Subcommittee plans a hearing on “ensuring intermodal Universal Service Fund support for rural America” 10:30 a.m. Thursday in 253 Russell, said a Capitol Hill notice. The hearing will focus on the Mobility and Connect America funds, "with particular emphasis on which entities and technologies should be eligible to receive support," the committee said in a notice. Witnesses will include Competitive Carriers Association President Steve Berry, All Points Broadband CEO Jimmy Carr testifying on behalf of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, Seward and Son Planting Co. Managing Partner Darrington Seward and ViaSat Vice President-Government Affairs Michael Rapelyea.