InnoCaption urged the FCC to develop a rate methodology for IP captioned telephone services that "supports the viability" of communications assistants, automatic speech recognition, and the combined use of both options, per an ex parte filing posted Tuesday in docket 03-123 (see 2310260053). The IP CTS provider backed the commission's proposed three-year rate cycle in separate calls with aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Nathan Simington, but it noted four or five years "would be ideal" to "provide long term rate stability" and "incentivize strategic investments."
The FCC authorized more than $18.3 billion in enhanced alternative connect America cost model (ACAM) support for 368 companies Monday (see 2308310047). The 15-year support period will begin Jan. 1, said a news release. The Wireline Bureau directed the Universal Service Administrative Co. to disburse funding to carriers eligible for support in a public notice in docket 10-90.
The FCC Wireline Bureau extended until Nov. 8 the deadline for E-rate participants with any form or program process deadline that must be filed with the E-rate productivity center (EPC) between Tuesday and Nov. 7, said a public notice Friday in docket 02-6. The bureau said the Universal Service Administrative Co. is consolidating its schools and library legacy invoicing system into the EPC, causing the system to be unavailable to users during that time.
The FCC wants comments by Nov. 29, replies Dec. 29, in docket 13-97 on a Further NPRM strengthening rules on direct numbering access authorization, said a notice for Monday's Federal Register. Comments on information collection requirements are due by Dec. 29. Commissioners adopted the item in September (see 2309210055).
Hamilton Relay urged the FCC to include additional cost data in the record before setting a new rate methodology for IP captioned telephone service funded by the Telecom Relay Service Fund (see 2310200065). Audited 2022 historical costs and 2023 projected costs should be added to the record, the company said in a meeting with staff from the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Office of Economics and Analytics and Office of Managing Director. "Audited historical costs are critical to rational ratemaking because the audits will help ensure that each provider is using appropriate cost categories and a common approach to the submission of cost data to the TRS Fund Administrator," Hamilton said, per an ex parte filing posted Thursday in docket 03-123.
Google Fiber's GFiber Labs will start offering 20 Gbps residential service by year's end, Nokia said Wednesday. Nokia said the service will run over an existing fiber network, with Google using Nokia passive optical network technology to boost speeds. It said the two are currently delivering 20 Gbps service to the University of Missouri at Kansas City and a United Way in Utah.
TeleGuam Holdings asked the FCC to approve its requests for "an eight-month advancement of frozen high-cost support," one-year waiver of the Connect America Fund broadband loop support cap on recoverable operating expenses, and a four-month extension of "eligibility and permissible use" of Lifeline and the affordable connectivity program support for qualifying subscribers. The company said in a letter posted Monday in docket 10-90 that Super Typhoon Mawar caused "unprecedented and devastating damage" to its network in May (see 2307200046). The damage "produced considerable and unforeseen costs," TeleGuam said.
Sorenson Communications wants the FCC to issue a declaratory ruling and interim waiver "to remove regulatory hurdles in the integration of interoperable videoconferencing services (IVCS) and video relay services (VRS)," said a letter posted Friday in docket 03-123 (see 2310100069). The company asked the FCC to direct the Telecom Relay Service Administrator to implement URL billing, allow users to select the provider of their choice on an IVCS call, and let providers confirm IVCS users' VRS eligibility using their assigned 10-digit number. "Prompt action will provide immediate relief to Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers trying to use IVCS platforms," Sorenson said.
IP captioned telephone service providers InnoCaption and CaptionCall met separately with FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics staff about rates for IP CTS, said ex parte filings posted Friday in docket 03-123. CaptionCall also met with staff from the Office of Managing Director. InnoCaption asked the FCC to "establish a three-year rate cycle while maintaining a single IP CTS rate" until there's enough data on the impact of automatic speech recognition. CaptionCall asked that research and development costs be treated as compensable "above mandatory minimum standards" to achieve functional equivalence. It also asked that acquiring North American numbering plan phone numbers for IP CTS users be treated as compensable.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will host a listening session in Chicago on incarcerated people's communications services (IPCS) Oct. 27 at 2:30 p.m., said a news release Friday (see 2305090066). Rosenworcel will hear from formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones about their experiences with IPCS and "obtain additional public comment in support of the commission’s ongoing efforts to ensure just and reasonable rates and charges for IPCS consumers."