LAS VEGAS -- FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein believes reforming universal service in 2008 is “worth trying,” aide Scott Bergmann said Tuesday in a Wiley Rein panel on USF at NXTCOMM. Officials from Sprint, Embarq, Cisco and Verizon agreed reform is needed, but disagreed on the details.

FCC said it granted two appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) filed by the State of Arkansas Department of Information Systems (DIS) and 15 schools and libraries in Arkansas. USAC denied 60 funding requests from these 16 applicants because of their failure to “timely submit” the application forms under the E-rate program, also known as the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism, said USAC. FCC said it found the issue raised in the first appeal was addressed by the Wireline Competition Bureau in the Alaska Gateway Order and the issue raised in the second appeal was addressed by the FCC in the Bishop Perry Order. Therefore, the Commission asked USAC to further review the applications and to issue an award or a denial based on a “complete review and analysis” no later than October 31. The two previous orders the FCC cited waived FCC rules to allow additional time to file USAC application forms.

The FCC said it granted two appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) filed by the State of Arkansas Department of Information Systems (DIS) and 15 schools and libraries in Arkansas. USAC denied 60 funding requests from these 16 applicants because of their failure to “timely submit” the application forms under the E-rate program, also known as the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism, said USAC. FCC said it found the issue raised in the first appeal was addressed by the Wireline Competition Bureau in the Alaska Gateway Order and the issue raised in the second appeal was addressed by the FCC in the Bishop Perry Order. Therefore, the Commission asked USAC to further review the applications and to issue an award or a denial based on a “complete review and analysis” no later than October 31. The two previous orders the FCC cited waived FCC rules to allow additional time to file USAC application forms.

The elections will intensify focus on broadband deployment, with lawmakers eyeing the universal service program as tool for wider deployment, speakers said Thursday at a Pike & Fischer conference on broadband policy. Lurking net neutrality legislation slowed progress on major telecom bills this Congress, speakers said. No neutrality legislation is likely this year, but a push could come next Congress if network operator practices anger key lawmakers, speakers said.

The elections will intensify focus on broadband deployment, with lawmakers eyeing the universal service program as tool for wider deployment, speakers said Thursday at a Pike & Fischer conference on broadband policy. Lurking net neutrality legislation slowed progress on major telecom bills this Congress, speakers said. No neutrality legislation is likely this year, but a push could come next Congress if network operator practices anger key lawmakers, speakers said.

The Florida Public Service Commission adopted a proposal to cancel Vilaire Communications’ state local exchange certificate, rescind its universal service subsidy eligibility status and require it to refund E-911 fee overcharges to customers. The company was accused of charging a 75 cent fee when state law caps E-911 fees at 50 cents (Case 08-0065-TX). Vilaire also was accused of double- dipping in the state universal service fund, obtaining $1.3 million in improper subsidies. The PSC said Vilaire’s customers will be shifted to AT&T while they decide on another provider. The PSC concluded Vilaire lacks the technical, managerial and financial competence to operate in the state. Vilaire has a pending state and federal court appeal challenging the PSC’s authority over this matter but hasn’t won judicial stays.

The FCC seeks comment on two appeals of Universal Service Administrative Co. rulings. Lake Delton Urgent Care and the Franciscan Skemp Prairie du Chien Clinic want the FCC to review USAC decisions to deny requests for rural healthcare funding in 2006. The clinics say USAC “erroneously calculated the amount of funding” due to them “by doubling the proposed urban rates,” the FCC said. Comments are due July 10, replies July 25.

The proportion of long distance revenue carriers must contribute to the Universal Service Fund in the third quarter of 2008 increased to 11.4 percent from 11.3 percent in Q2, the FCC said Friday. To get the “contribution factor,” the agency divides projected carrier revenue by expected USF subsidies for the quarter. Of an estimated $1.95 billion in Q3 subsidies, about $1.17 billion is for the rural high-cost program, $528.8 million for the E-rate program, $202.6 million for low-income support and $49.6 million for the rural health-care program.

Two ex-FCC chairmen went head-to-head on which presidential candidate has the better communications policy, in a Federalist Society forum Tuesday. Michael Powell endorsed Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., while Reed Hundt backed Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Tempers flared on Bell mergers as well as on broadband policy.

Two ex-FCC chairmen went head-to-head on which presidential candidate has the better communications policy, in a Federalist Society forum Tuesday. Michael Powell endorsed Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., while Reed Hundt backed Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Tempers flared on Bell mergers as well as on broadband policy.