The NTIA and the RUS should auction the $7.2 billion in broadband stimulus grants instead of using a conventional application process, a group of 70 economists told the agencies in comments filed Monday, the deadline for suggestions on giving out the money. The economists argued that procurement auctions are a more-efficient way of disbursing the funds than the usual grant process, which they said is “long, complicated and involves subjective and arbitrary decisions.”

Comparing the U.S. to other countries on broadband availability will be the FCC’s toughest task as the agency implements the Broadband Data Improvement Act, telecom executives and researchers said in comments at the commission Friday. Many international reports miss key variables needed to draw accurate conclusions, they said. Although most comments focused broadly on how to satisfy Congress’ goals in the act, some groups urged the FCC to focus on special interest areas where they said information is lacking.

The FCC will likely get lengthy input on a vast array of controversial telecom issues, as it attempts to develop a national broadband plan, said industry officials we polled for reaction Thursday. In a 52-page notice of inquiry released Wednesday (CD April 9 p1), the FCC asks questions on universal service reform, open networks and nondiscrimination, the role of competition, how to define broadband, and several other big issues. The FCC is required under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to deliver its national broadband plan to Congress by Feb. 17.

The FCC will likely get lengthy input on a vast array of controversial telecom issues, as it attempts to develop a national broadband plan, said industry officials we polled for reaction Thursday. In a 52-page notice of inquiry released Wednesday (WID April 9 p2), the FCC asks questions on universal service reform, open networks and nondiscrimination, the role of competition, how to define broadband, and several other big issues. The FCC is required under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to deliver its national broadband plan to Congress by Feb. 17.

The FCC opened a rulemaking to revamp universal service high-cost support for non-rural carriers. In a notice of inquiry adopted 3-0 Tuesday and released Wednesday, the FCC asked how it should respond to a 2005 remand by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In 2005, the court called unlawful the FCC’s current non-rural rules, which address carriers like Qwest that serve high-cost areas with too many lines to be considered “rural” by the statutory definition.

The FCC opened a proceeding to develop a national broadband plan, at its meeting Wednesday. Commissioners unanimously approved a notice of inquiry on the plan, asking a laundry list of questions on how to effectively and efficiently spur broadband deployment and adoption. The FCC must deliver a plan to Congress by Feb. 17, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The FCC, meeting Wednesday, opened a proceeding to develop a national broadband plan. Commissioners unanimously approved a notice of inquiry on the plan, asking a laundry list of questions on how to effectively and efficiently spur broadband deployment and adoption. The FCC must deliver a plan to Congress by Feb. 17, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The FCC shouldn’t broaden the scope of a notice of inquiry on universal service high-cost support for non-rural carriers, said the Wyoming Public Service Commission. The notice, now circulating the FCC’s 8th floor (CD March 23 p10), includes a laundry list of questions asking how the FCC should respond to a 2005 remand by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. In 2005, the court called unlawful the FCC’s current non-rural rules, which address carriers like Qwest that serve high-cost areas with too many lines to be considered “rural” by the statutory definition. In a letter last week to the FCC, the Wyoming PSC urged the agency to reject a suggestion by AT&T to take the opportunity to revamp Universal Service for the broadband age.” Including such a controversial subject would complicate the proceeding, the PSC said. “'Broadband age’ issues are not related to the remand, and are not part of the current federal universal fund … or the mandate of the Court.”

Rising termination rates, regulatory transparency and equipment trade topped concerns in an annual review of U.S. international telecom trade agreements, the U.S. Trade Representative said. The review is based on public comments filed by interested parties. Eight companies and trade associations and two foreign governments commented or replied to comments.

Rising termination rates, regulatory transparency and equipment trade topped concerns in an annual review of U.S. international telecom trade agreements, the U.S. Trade Representative said. The review is based on public comments filed by interested parties. Eight companies and trade associations and two foreign governments commented or replied to comments.