The FCC can reach its goal of an Internet protocol-based telecom network fastest and easiest by adopting a “bill-and-keep” approach to intercarrier compensation reform for VoIP, said Vonage and the Voice on the Net Coalition in comments. Bill-and-keep is an “economically efficient, forward-looking solution that will send appropriate price signals to consumers and the industry,” Vonage said in its comments, filed to dockets 10-90, 09-51, 07-135, 05-337, 01-92, 96-45 and 03-109. VON said “the identical nature of all IP traffic, and the relative burden such traffic imposes on the carrier networks, demands an intercarrier compensation regime that treats all traffic equally.”

Using Internet Protocol-delivered streams of video, instead of gateway adapters, for pay-TV companies to let consumer electronics devices access their programming may be a better way for the FCC to proceed on AllVid, said all of the executives we interviewed. Analysts weren’t so sure. Telco-TV providers already use IP to deliver at least a good chunk of their programming to subscribers, said the analysts and executives. They said cable operators are farther behind in the still-nascent transition to IP video delivery, though they're making early efforts to test and examine it. The new approach is being examined by the FCC for subscription-video providers to use IP instead of gateways to let DVRs, DVD players and other products get cable channels, without separating out the programming within networks (CD March 24 p1).

AT&T and USTelecom are trying to revive dormant efforts to create an industry-wide proposal on Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation regime reforms ahead of the FCC’s rigid schedule, multiple industry officials told us. Similar efforts have foundered in the past -- including a concerted attempt in 2006-07 -- but this time, “I think there is a possibility for a very broad industry coalition on this,” said USTelecom Vice President Jon Banks. “The FCC knows we're trying to do this,” he added. “Everybody -- ILECs, CLECs, cable wireless, rurals -- is trying to put together a path for the FCC to follow.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected as premature Verizon and MetroPCS’s separate challenges of December’s FCC net neutrality rules, which were made before the order was published in the Federal Register. The decision was a win for the agency, which asked that the challenge be rejected, though future appeals remain likely. Verizon said in January that it would file an additional challenge after the order is published.

A wireless booster rulemaking notice is scheduled for a vote at Thursday’s FCC meeting, after concerns raised by Verizon Wireless and public safety were addressed in recent days. The order was placed on the sunshine agenda circulated by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, cutting off further lobbying at the FCC. The FCC is also slated to vote on a data roaming order as well as high-profile orders on pole attachments and the video relay service program, among other items.

Giving ILECs a break on pole attachment rates could help save $100 million yearly in broadband subsidies, USTelecom wrote FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. “While quantifying the benefits to the Connect America Fund requires some assumptions, we estimate that approximately one-third to one-half of the current unreasonable electric utility pole attachments are in rural areas,” President Walter McCormick said in the letter, released late Thursday. This suggests “that a strongly and clearly articulated reduction of ILEC attachment rates to the cable benchmark” could reduce the burden on the Connect America Fund “by more than $100 million each year,” he said.

Makers of set-top boxes that stream online video to TVs are taking a close look at adding ATSC receivers to their devices and may unveil new hybrid ATSC-online video products soon, industry executives said. Some devices could be announced as soon as the NAB show April 9-14 in Las Vegas, said Doug Wills, vice president at Minerva networks, an IPTV middleware company. Adding over-the-air TV reception capabilities to online video devices presents new challenges, such as reception problems and software integration hurdles, executives said.

Pending South Carolina legislation would impose barriers to community broadband initiatives in the state, including initiatives that have received federal economic stimulus grants and loans, opponents of the bill said. H-3508 would ensure a level playing field for all broadband providers, regardless of whether they're private or government-owned, said AT&T, a major proponent of the bill.

The FCC should determine if the wireless market will still function in the wake of AT&T buying T-Mobile, said House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore. Speaking at the Newseum at an event hosted by Politico and the Telecommunications Industry Association, Walden urged the agency to conduct a market-power analysis in its review of the deal. He warned the commission not to abuse its review authority by getting the parties to agree to conditions.

The House Communications Subcommittee unanimously approved draft legislation to speed unused broadband funds back to the U.S. Treasury, in a voice vote Friday morning. The combined hearing and markup lasted only about 45 minutes. Democrats questioned the need for the bill by House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., but they didn’t oppose it. NTIA and RUS heads said the bill’s goals are consistent with existing policies at the agencies.