USTelecom asked the FCC to define digital discrimination as "intentional" instead of relying on a "disparate impact standard," in a meeting with an aide to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. It would "contravene Congressional intent" in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, USTelecom said, per an ex parte filing posted Thursday in docket 22-69. The "existence of a digital divide does not equal digital discrimination and the two should not be conflated," the group said: The IIJA "makes no findings that broadband providers have engaged in digital discrimination." The FCC could consider "further streamlining the Section 214 requirements for discontinuing outdated, legacy services and preempting unreasonable permitting processes and non-cost-based rights of way fees," USTelecom said, and should reject calls for a "strict formula on what an appropriate return on investment is for a provider."
The FCC Wireline Bureau extended until Aug. 12 the annual location reporting deadline for rate-of-return Alaska Plan carriers Adak Telephone Utility, Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative and Matanuska Telephone Association (see 2206070075). The providers experienced "technical challenges related to the changes made to reporting the new speed tiers," said a public notice Wednesday in docket 10-90.
The FCC committed nearly $68 million in additional Emergency Connectivity Fund support, totaling more than $5.7 billion so far, said a news release Wednesday. The new funding will support one school, three libraries and one consortium from the first and second application windows, and more than 200 schools, seven libraries and one consortium from the third application window.
The FCC Wireline Bureau partially granted the Northern Arapaho Tribal Industries a waiver of certain Connect America Fund Phase II auction rules, said an order Tuesday in docket 10-90. NATI sought a temporary waiver of the requirement that it increase the value of its letter of credit for the auction. The bureau let NATI keep its current value until the Universal Service Administrative Co. "completes its verification process for the locations to which NATI has certified deployment."
The proposed North American Numbering Plan Administration Fund size for FY 2023 will be $8.6 million with a contribution factor of 0.0000853, said an FCC Wireline Bureau public notice Monday in docket 92-237 (see 2108090060). The fund estimate and contribution factor will take effect Aug. 22 unless the commission acts.
The FCC Wireline Bureau wants comments by Sept. 6, replies by Oct. 3, on a Further NPRM proposing to update access stimulation rules, said a notice for Thursday's Federal Register (see 2207140055). Commissioners approved the item in July.
The National Lifeline Association asked the FCC to grant its petition for reconsideration and clarification of the Wireline and Enforcement Bureaus' authority to suspend an affordable connectivity program provider's participation and marketing of connected devices, in a letter posted Tuesday in docket 21-450 (see 2206160071). NaLA noted there was no opposition to its petition and said the "unenthusiastic participation" among providers offering a connected device is "likely because of unnecessary regulatory hurdles that have been erected, including the market value provision addressed in the petition."
SpaceX raised concerns about Viasat's "ongoing campaign" opposing its Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I long-form application, in a letter posted Monday in docket 19-126 (see 2112230041). "Viasat is transparently attempting to have the commission impede competition at all costs to protect its legacy technology," SpaceX said, noting it has been "able to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband service vastly exceeding Viasat's performance."
The Lifeline minimum service standard for fixed broadband data will be 1,280 GB per month, beginning Dec. 1, said an FCC Wireline Bureau public notice Friday in docket 11-42. The bureau extended its pause on the mobile broadband data minimum service standard until "at least" Dec. 1, 2023. The indexed budget for Lifeline beginning Jan. 1 will be $2.6 billion.
The FCC Wireline Bureau extended until Oct. 31 the deadline for COVID-19 telehealth program round two recipients to purchase eligible devices and services, said a public notice Friday in docket 20-89. It also extended the deadline for submitting invoices by three months. The bureau said program participants have sought additional time due to "supply-chain delays and discontinuities, staff absences due to COVID, and challenges with state government purchasing regulations."