CommLaw Monitor
Does the Universal Service Fund Need a Cap? A Divided FCC Begins its Inquiry
On Friday, May 31, 2019, the FCC released a much-anticipated notice of proposed rulemaking (“NPRM”) to consider the adoption of an overall budget cap on the Universal Service Fund (“USF”), separate from any individual…
FCC Plans to Eliminate Rural “Rate Floor,” Heading Off Potential Price Hikes
The FCC plans to adopt an order eliminating the controversial rural “ rate floor ” that restricts the amount of Universal Service Fund (“USF”) support received by some carriers to build and maintain networks in…
Register for the 10th Annual USF Update Webinar on March 6th
Back for its 10th year, our most popular webinar offers an in-depth discussion on the federal Universal Service Fund for participants in USF programs and for contributors to the Fund. This webinar will address major…
FCC Announces Plan to Create New Fraud Division, But Provides Few Details
On February 4, 2019, the FCC announced a plan to create a new division housed in its Enforcement Bureau, dedicated to prosecuting fraud in the agency’s Universal Service Fund (“USF”) programs. Citing to recent…
FCC Back to Full Strength Following Swearing In of New Commissioner Geoffrey Starks
On January 30, 2019, Geoffrey Starks was sworn in as the newest FCC Commissioner, restoring the agency to its full complement of five Commissioners for the first time since the summer. In announcing his swearing in,…