CommLaw Monitor
FCC Announces USF Enforcement “Strike Force” To Combat Waste, Fraud and Abuse
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler issued a Public Notice on July 14, 2014, announcing the creation of a new “Strike Force” to respond to concerns of waste, fraud and abuse in the Universal Service Fund (USF). Chairman Wheeler…
FCC Adopts Competitive Bidding Rules and Selective Criteria for Rural Broadband Experiments
This past Friday, at its open meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) adopted a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 14-98) establishing the method by which the…
FCC’s New E-Rate Rules Expose a “Digital Divide” Among Commissioners
At its Open Meeting today, the Federal Communications Commission adopted new E-rate rules, despite strong objections from Commissioners Pai and O’Reilly. As predicted, the new E-rate rules direct a significant,…
Steady Volume of USF Appeals Forces Change in FCC Procedure
Followers of this blog know that appeals relating to Universal Service Fund contribution obligations proliferate. Despite a rule stating that the FCC will address such appeals in 90 days, contribution appeals routinely…
FCC Seeks Comment on Smith Bagley Petition for Partial Waiver on Biennial Audits
Yesterday, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (“Bureau”) released a Public Notice seeking comment by July 25, 2014, on Smith Bagley, Inc.’s (“SBI’s”) Petition for Partial Waiver (also attached) of the biennial audit…