CommLaw Monitor
USAC Posts Questions on Implementation of New E-Rate Rules
On September 28, 2010, the FCC released a Sixth Report and Order revising its rules for disbursements from the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund (commonly referred to as the "e-rate" program).…
USF Roller Coaster: First Quarter Contribution Factor to be 15.5%
One month ago, we reported on Universal Service demand levels that suggested a significant increase in the USF Contribution Factor. Yesterday, the revenue figures came in low. As a result, the 1Q 2011 contribution…
FCC Clears States to Impose USF Fees Prospectively on Intrastate Nomadic VoIP Services
As has been expected, the FCC late Friday released an order finding that states can require nomadic interconnected VoIP providers such as Vonage to pay state universal service fund contributions on a prospective basis…
USF Roller Coaster, Part 2: Contribution Factor Predicted to Return to Nearly 15 Percent
As we have covered in this blog (see here and here ), the Universal Service Fund contribution factor has bounced between 12 and 15 percent for the past year or so. Yesterday, telecommunications consultant Billy Jack…
GAO Audit Finds USAC Audits Lacking in Controls
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a study of the FCC's e-rate program controls. The GAO study recommended that the FCC conduct a "robust risk assessment" of its e-rate program and revise the…