Alternative connect America cost model (ACAM) carriers must indicate on a state-by-state basis by Sept. 29 whether they want to receive enhanced ACAM support, said an FCC Wireline Bureau public notice Wednesday in docket 10-90 (see 2307240064). The model-based support includes a predicted monthly funding threshold of $63.69, a funding cap per location of $350, and an alternative funding percentage of 80%. Tribal locations are subject to a threshold of $47.76 and a cap of $365.93. The offer is also based on what the carrier "currently receives for locations to which it has already deployed 100/20 Mbps or faster broadband but which unsubsidized competitors neither already serve nor are subject to enforceable commitment to serve."
The FCC's rules establishing an enhanced up-to-$75 monthly broadband subsidy through the affordable connectivity program for eligible households in high cost areas take effect Oct. 2, said a notice for Friday's Federal Register (see 2308030075).
The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau extended until Sept. 30 its waiver of compensation formulas for video relay services funded by the Telecom Relay Service Fund. The bureau, in an order Thursday in docket 03-123, said its revised plans for a new formula wouldn't be extended by its existing waiver, extending it through Sept. 30 "or the effective date of commission action revising the applicable compensation formulas."
The FCC and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) signed a memorandum of understanding to promote awareness of the affordable connectivity program among federal housing assistance recipients, said a news release Monday. "This agreement builds on our ongoing and tireless efforts to broaden awareness of an essential cost-saving program that can bring connectivity to families on the wrong side of the digital divide," said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Also Monday, Commissioner Geoffrey Starks joined HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge in Seattle to announce the partnership. "Working together, the FCC and HUD will make it easier for millions of eligible HUD households to secure the connectivity they need to participate in a 21st century economy," Starks said.
The FCC Wireline Bureau is seeking nominations for six positions on the Universal Service Administrative Co. board of directors. Nominations are due by Oct. 24 in docket 96-45, said a public notice Thursday.
The FCC wants comments on a notice of inquiry on potential methods to modify the USF's high cost program, said a notice in Wednesday's Federal Register. Comments are due Oct. 23, replies Nov. 21, in docket 10-90. Commissioners adopted the item in July (see 2307240064).
Hamilton Relay backed T-Mobile's petition to waive the requirement that text telephone (TTY)-based relay service be capable of communicating with the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) format, in comments posted Tuesday in docket 03-123 (see 2308040034). It also backed eliminating the ASCII requirement. "The ASCII format is rarely used," Hamilton said, noting "technological advancements have made the ASCII format superfluous."
The FCC rechartered its precision ag task force for a "third and final term" Monday, per a news release (see 2307110068). “Today’s farmers and ranchers rely on high-speed internet to make the best use of connected tools to efficiently run their businesses and meet the demand for food to sustain our communities,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, urging the task force to "look closely at the link between connectivity and agricultural sustainability." Nominations for task force membership are due by Sept. 20.
The FCC sought comment on the Competitive Carriers Association and USTelecom's petition to extend a waiver of its requirement that broadband data collection filings be verified by a licensed professional engineer, per a notice for Tuesday's Federal Register (see 2308070042). Comments are due by Sept. 1, replies Sept. 11, in docket 19-195.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau redesignated USTelecom's Industry Traceback Group (ITG) as the registered consortium for the industry-led robocall traceback group, said an order Friday in docket 20-22 (see 2306120050). The ITG "continues to fight to protect consumers against illegal robocalls, scammers and spoofers and we’re honored that the FCC has once again recognized our important role in this work," said USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter: "The volume of illegal robocalls is declining, but there’s still more work to be done."