47 CFR Part 54 - UNIVERSAL SERVICE

In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau adopts modifications to the data specifications for collecting study area boundaries for purposes of implementing various reforms. The original specifications were adopted in the Commission's Connect America Fund; High-Cost Universal Service Support, Report and Order, ( Study Area Boundary Order ), released on November 6, 2012.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) addresses several issues related to changes made to high-cost universal service support for rate-of-return carriers in the USF/ICC Transformation Order, including granting in part requests to modify the high cost loop support (HCLS) benchmarks.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission reforms its universal service support program for health care, transitioning its existing Internet Access and Rural Health Care Pilot programs into a new, efficient Healthcare Connect Fund. This Fund will expand health care provider access to broadband, especially in rural areas, and encourage the creation of state and regional broadband health care networks. Access to broadband for medical providers saves lives while lowering health care costs and improving patient experiences.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, until July 31, 2013, the information collection associated with the Commission's Connect America Fund; High-Cost Universal Service Support, Report and Order, ( Order ), released on November 6, 2012. The Commission submitted a request for approval of a new collection under control number 3060-1181 to the OMB for review and approval, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). This notice is consistent with the Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those rules once it receives OMB approval.

In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) adopts data specifications for collecting incumbent local exchange carrier (LEC) study area boundaries. The Bureau will use the maps to analyze costs of LECs and determine which LECs are eligible for support to deliver telecommunications and information services in rural and high cost areas, and to implement certain reforms to universal service support. The data will be used as an essential input in a model that determines the level of high cost support for rate of return carriers. The Bureau will also use the data to determine whether unsubsidized competitors offer service within all or a portion of an incumbent LEC's study area, and to phase out support where unsubsidized competitors offer voice and broadband service throughout an entire study area. Commission intends to allocate support among eligible LECs in a manner that best ensures that consumers in rural and high cost area have services and rates that are reasonably comparable to those in urban areas.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) reconsiders and clarifies certain aspects of the USF/ICC Transformation Order, in response to various petitions for reconsideration and/or clarification. We grant in part petitions related to the financial reporting obligations of eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) that are privately held rate of return companies. This Order also provides additional guidance and clarifications regarding the standard and process for requests for waiver of our universal service reforms.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on a proposal to clarify the schools and libraries universal service support program (E-rate program) requirements for bundling devices, equipment and services that are ineligible for E-rate support. Under this proposal, beginning in funding year 2014, service providers may no longer offer bundled ineligible components as E-rate eligible even if they determine the bundled offering falls within the scope of the Gift Rule Clarification Order.

In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau adds a new virtual workshop discussion topic, entitled “Operating Expenses Input Values” to seek public input.

In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) addresses a petition for clarification and reconsideration, or in the alternative waiver, filed by the United States Telecom Association and CTIA—The Wireless Association. The Bureau also clarifies and waives certain aspects of the reporting requirements adopted in the USF/ICC Transformation Order for eligible telecommunications carriers relating to five-year build-out plans and broadband network testing.

In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau adopts modifications to the data specifications for collecting study area boundaries for purposes of implementing various reforms. The original specifications were adopted in the Commission's Connect America Fund; High-Cost Universal Service Support, Report and Order, ( Study Area Boundary Order ), released on November 6, 2012.

In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau adds a new virtual workshop discussion topic, entitled “Rate of Return for Connect America Cost Model,” to seek public input on what cost of money should be utilized in the forward-looking cost model that will determine support levels that will be offered to price cap carriers in Phase II.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) addresses several issues related to changes made to high-cost universal service support for rate-of-return carriers in the USF/ICC Transformation Order, including granting in part requests to modify the high cost loop support (HCLS) benchmarks.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks comment on how it will determine which census blocks are served by an unsubsidized competitor, how price cap carriers will demonstrate they are meeting the Commission's requirements for reasonable comparability, and what other providers will need to demonstrate to be deemed unsubsidized competitors.

In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks public input on three newly added virtual workshop discussion topics and further comment on two existing topics.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission reforms its universal service support program for health care, transitioning its existing Internet Access and Rural Health Care Pilot programs into a new, efficient Healthcare Connect Fund. This Fund will expand health care provider access to broadband, especially in rural areas, and encourage the creation of state and regional broadband health care networks. Access to broadband for medical providers saves lives while lowering health care costs and improving patient experiences.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks to further develop the record on issues relating to Connect America Phase II support for price cap carriers serving areas outside of the contiguous United States.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, until July 31, 2013, the information collection associated with the Commission's Connect America Fund; High-Cost Universal Service Support, Report and Order, ( Order ), released on November 6, 2012. The Commission submitted a request for approval of a new collection under control number 3060-1181 to the OMB for review and approval, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). This notice is consistent with the Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those rules once it receives OMB approval.

In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks further comment on specific issues relating to the implementation of the Remote Areas Fund.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks comment on procedures to determine what areas are eligible for Connect America Phase II funding and how carriers may elect to accept or decline a statewide commitment in Connect America Phase II.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) reconsiders and clarifies certain aspects of the USF/ICC Transformation Order, in response to various petitions for reconsideration and/or clarification. We grant in part petitions related to the financial reporting obligations of eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) that are privately held rate of return companies. This Order also provides additional guidance and clarifications regarding the standard and process for requests for waiver of our universal service reforms.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks comment in this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on potential modifications to the rules governing Connect America Phase I incremental support to further accelerate the deployment of broadband facilities to consumers who lack access to robust broadband.