The goals of Universal Service, as mandated by the 1996 Act, are to:

• Promote the availability of quality services at just, reasonable and affordable rates for all consumers
• Increase nationwide access to advanced telecommunications services
• Advance the availability of such services to all consumers, including those in low income, rural, insular, and high cost areas at rates that are reasonably comparable to those charged in urban areas
• Increase access to telecommunications and advanced services in schools, libraries and rural health care facilities
• Provide equitable and non-discriminatory contributions from all providers of telecommunications services to the fund supporting universal service programs

The Commission established four programs to fulfill these goals.  They are:

• The High-Cost program
• The Lifeline (low income) program, including initiatives for Native Americans
• The Schools and Libraries program, commonly referred to as E-rate
• The Rural Health Care program

These programs are funded by the Universal Service Fund.  Telecommunications providers must contribute to the fund through an assessment on their interstate and international revenues.  The Commission appointed the Universal Service Administrative Company, or USAC, to administer the four programs and the Universal Service Fund.

Detailed statistical information about the Universal Service Fund is available in the annual Monitoring Report.

HEADLINES

10/11/2012
Annual Recertification Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau reminds Eligible Telecommunications Carriers and state administrators that the eligibility of the base of their subscribers as of June 1, 2012 must be recertified by December 31, 2012 and provides guidance on the process for recertification.
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10/11/2012
Elimination of Duplicate Support Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau provides guidance to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) and state administrators regarding compliance with the one-per-household rule adopted in the Lifeline Reform Order and reminds ETCs of their ongoing duty to prevent and eliminate duplicative support.
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10/11/2012
State Database Opt-Out Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau provides guidance to states regarding the process of opting out of the National Lifeline Accountability Database established in the Lifeline Reform Order.
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10/10/2012
Flatel, Inc. Order: TAPD dismisses Flatel, Inc. request for review of a USAC decision when an appeal is pending with USAC.
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10/9/2012
Commencement of Connect America Phase II Cost Model Virtual Workshop Public Notice: On September 12, 2012, the Wireline Competition Bureau announced that it would hold a Connect America Phase II cost model virtual workshop. Today, the Bureau announces the virtual workshop begins on Tuesday, October 9, 2012.
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10/4/2012
Believe Wireless, LLC Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau grants Believe Wireless’ request to withdraw its request for review that was pending with the Commission.
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10/3/2012
Border to Border Communications, Inc. Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau grants the request of Border to Border Communications for expedited waiver to correct its study area boundaries that were used in regression analysis that established “benchmarks” for high-cost loop support.
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10/2/2012
Independent School District of Boise City Order: WCB grants a remands appeals to USAC pertaining to E-rate funding sought for the lease of dark fiber for a WAN.
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10/2/2012
Alaska Communications System Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for waiver of certain Connect America Phase I rules filed by ACS. Specifically, ACS requests waiver of the requirement to deploy broadband to one unserved location for every $775 in Phase I support accepted.
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9/27/2012
Eligible Services Report and Order: By this order, we release the list of eligible services for the schools and libraries universal support mechanism (E-rate program) for funding year 2013.
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9/26/2012
Union Parish School District Order: We deny a request for review filed by Union Parish School Board and grant two requests for review filed by BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.
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9/26/2012
Missoula Public School Order: In this order we grant a request for review by Missoula Public Library of a USAC commitment adjustment recovery action for funding year 1998.
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9/25/2012
Federal State Joint Conference on Advanced Services Vacancies Order: Swati Dandekar, Board Member, Iowa Utilities Board, and Stephen Michael Bloom, Commissioner, Oregon Public Utility Commission, appointed to serve on the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services.
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9/21/2012
Sprint Nextel, Affordable Phone Service and Absolute Home Phone Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on petitions filed by Sprint Nextel Corporation, Affordable Phone Services, Inc., and Absolute Home Phones, Inc., requesting waivers of section 54.410(f) of the Commission’s rules requiring eligible telecommunications carriers to annually recertify the eligibility of their Lifeline subscribers.
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9/21/2012
Mercury Wireless Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies a petition for waiver filed by Mercury Wireless, LLC. Petitioner sought waiver of late fees assessed for late filing of FCC Form 499-A. Petitioner failed to show good cause for waiver.
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9/21/2012
BelWave Communications Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies a petition for waiver filed by Belwave Communications. Petitioner sought waiver of late fees assessed for late filing of FCC Form 499-A. Petitioner failed to show good cause for waiver.
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9/17/2012
ACS Wireless, Inc. Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau waives the July 2, 2012 deadline for ETCs to file their annual reports required under the USF/ICC Transformation Order. ETCs are given 30 days from the release of this Order to file any necessary reports. The Bureau dismisses as moot a petition for waiver filed by ACS Wireless of its filing deadline. The Bureau also waives the October 1, 2012 deadline for states to file annual certifications that universal service funding is being properly used. States have 60 days from release of this Order to file their certifications.
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9/14/2012
Acadia Parish School Board Head Start Program Order: In this order, we address 39 requests from petitioners seeking waivers of the FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline and one petition for reconsideration for funding years 2009 2011, and 2012 under the E-rate program.
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9/13/2012
Chadbad Outreach Center Order: Order denies six requests from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by USAC to deny funding. The Bureau also dismiss two petition for reconsiderations. The petitioners failed to submit their requests for review or waiver either to the Commission or to USAC within 60 days as required by the Commission’s rules.
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9/13/2012
Wauneta Telephone Company Order: In this order, we grant the request of Wauneta Telephone Company (Wauneta) for expedited waiver to correct its study area boundaries that were used in the regression analysis that established “benchmarks” for high-cost loop support (HCLS).
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9/13/2012
USAC Board Nominations Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks nominations for the following board member positions on the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company.
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9/12/2012
Connect America Phase II Cost Model Virtual Workshop Public Notice: The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) will convene a “virtual workshop” to solicit input from the public on Connect America Fund (Connect America) Phase II cost model design and inputs after the in-person workshop scheduled for September 13 and 14, 2012.
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9/12/2012
2013 Modification of the Average Schedule Universal Service High Cost Loop Support Formula Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the 2013 Modification of Average Schedule high-cost loop support formula proposed by NECA.
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9/11/2012
Fairpoint Communications Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by FairPoint Communications, Inc for a waiver of certain portions of section 54.312(b) of the Commission’s rules, which, among other things, provides the timeframe and obligations associated with accepting Connect America Phase I incremental support.
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9/11/2012
Central Texas Telephone Cooperative, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comments on a petition filed by Central Texas Telephone Cooperative, Inc. for waiver of the rule limiting reimbursable capital and operating expenses applied to high cost loop support.
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9/10/2012
Connect America Phase II Cost Model Workshop Public Notice: On August 20, 2012, the Wireline Competition Bureau announced that it would hold a Connect America Phase II cost model workshop. Today, the Bureau announces the detailed agenda for the Connect America Phase II cost model workshop.
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9/5/2012
Yakutat School District Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau dismisses a second E-rate petition for reconsideration filed by Yakutat School District.
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8/30/2012
Matanuska Telephone Association Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the Matanuska Telephone Association’s petition for waiver of the CAPEX benchmark.
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8/27/2012
LMAS Dristric Health Department Public Notice: Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department (LMAS) seeking reversal of a USAC decision denying LMAS’s request for Funding Year 2010 rural health care support. LMAS also requests that the Commission grant it a waiver of the FCC Form 466 filing deadline for Funding Year 2010. LMAS argues that it failed to file its 2010 Form 466 due to an administrative oversight and that it did not violate any substantive rules.
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8/27/2012
Corporate Telecom Order: Wireline Competition Bureau denies a petition for waiver filed by Corporate Telecom. Petitioner sought waiver of the filing deadline for FCC Form 499-A. Petitioner failed to show good cause for waiver.
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8/27/2012
Primo Communications Order: Wireline Competition Bureau dismisses a petition for review as procedurally defective, and denies a waiver filed by Primo Communications. Petitioner sought waiver of the filing deadline for FCC Form 499-A. Petitioner failed to show good cause for waiver.
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8/27/2012
Cox Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on August 14, 2012 by Cox Communications, Inc. (Cox). Cox seeks forbearance from enforcing section 214(e)(5) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules in connection with pending and future Cox applications for limited designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier to participate in the Lifeline program.
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8/27/2012
Allband Filing Deadline Public Notice: WCB reminds parties of deadline for filing oppositions and replies regarding the Allband Communications Cooperative Application for Review of the decision issued by the WCB in the July 25, 2012 order, DA 12-1194. In their August 24, 2012 filing, Allband seeks: Extending the current waiver of section 54.302 from three years to 15 years and also seeks a waiver of section 36.621(a)(5) for the same fifteen-year period.
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8/23/2012
Outfitter Satellite Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Outfitter Satellite, Inc. (Outfitter).
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8/21/2012
Iowa Department of Education Order: In the order, we grant the appeal by the Iowa Department of Education and conclude that USAC can provide E-rate support for telecommunications services provided by ICN for funding years 1998, 1999 and 2000.
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8/20/2012
Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools Order: Consistent with precedent, we deny a request from Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools (TCMS) seeking review of a decision made by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the E-rate program (more formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program) for funding year 2007. In its decision, USAC determined that TCMS violated E-rate program rules by failing to evaluate all the bids it received.
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8/20/2012
PR Wireless Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a petition filed by PR Wireless, Inc. d/b/a/ Open Mobile (PR Wireless) requesting a waiver of the recertification requirement in the Lifeline Reform Order for subscribers enrolled between January 1, 2012 and June 1, 2012. Specifically, PR Wireless argues that its subscribers enrolled between January, 1, 2012 and June 1, 2012 have already demonstrated eligibility, viewed disclosures and made certifications as part of the process in Puerto Rico and that these disclosures and certifications meet nearly all of the requirements of sections 54.410(d) and (f). PR Wireless asserts that subscriber confusion and attrition will result if its waiver request is not granted.
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8/20/2012
Connect America Phase II Cost Model Workshop Public Notice: On November 18, 2011, the Commission released the USF/ICC Transformation Order, which comprehensively reforms and modernizes the universal service and intercarrier compensation systems.
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8/16/2012
Airvoice Wireless, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on petition filed by Airvoice Wireless, LLC (Airvoice) for limited designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for the provision of Lifeline service. Airvoice seek designation as an ETC for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline service in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee and Virginia.
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8/16/2012
T-Mobile USA, Inc. Order: In this order, we conditionally grant a third amended petition filed by T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile) for limited designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for the purpose of providing Lifeline services in the states of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York, Tennessee, Virginia and the District of Columbia. We also conditionally grant an amended petition filed by NTCH, Inc. (NTCH) seeking limited designation as an ETC for the purpose of providing Lifeline services in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. T-Mobile and NTCH (together, the petitioners) respectively filed the Third Amended T-Mobile ETC Petition and the Amended NTCH ETC Petition (together, the Petitions) pursuant to section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act, as amended (the Act), and section 54.202 of the Commission’s rules.
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8/13/2012
Rural Health Care Pilot Program Staff Report: In this Staff Report, the Wireline Competition Bureau describes the current status of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, key benefits arising from the Pilot Program, and major lessons learned.
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8/10/2012
Ed Tec Solutions LLC Order: The Order grants the requests for review filed by Ed Tec Solutions LLC (Ed Tec) seeking review of a USAC decision rescinding or denying funding for discounted services under the E-rate program because Ed Tec’s contracts allowed payments to be made in installments after the work was completed.
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8/10/2012
SI Wireless Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on an ETC Designation Petition filed by SI Wireless for the provision of Lifeline service in Tennessee.
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8/10/2012
State E-Rate Coordinators' Alliance Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the State E-rate Coordinators’ Alliance (SECA) asking for clarification on whether and to what extent the Commission’s rules for E-rate (more formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program) permit service providers to bundle end-user devices and equipment that are ineligible for E-rate support with E-rate eligible services without having to reduce the amount of an applicant’s E-rate funding request by the cost of the ineligible end-user devices and equipment.
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8/10/2012
Assumption-All Saints School Order: We find violations of the Commission's competitive bidding rules, and therefore deny an appeal filed by 10 applicants and their service provider, Future Generation, Inc.
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8/10/2012
TracFone, Smith Bagley and I-Wireless Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on petitions filed by TracFone, Smith Bagley and i-wireless seeking declaratory ruling or waiver from the recertification requirement for Lifeline in the Commission’s rules.
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8/9/2012
Thedacare Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano Clinic (ThedaCare) seeking reversal of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC denied ThedaCare’s request that USAC recalculate ThedaCare’s Funding Year 2010 rural health care support based on corrected rural and urban rates.
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8/8/2012
Birch Communications, Boomerang Wireless, IM Telecom, Q Link Wireless and Tag Mobile Public Notice: In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau approves compliance plans for participation in the Lifeline program by Birch Communications, Boomerang Wireless, IM Telecom, Q Link Wireless, and TAG Mobile.
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8/8/2012
Utphone Public Notice: In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on UTPhone Inc.’s petition for waiver of the Commission’s Link Up rules.
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8/8/2012
Graydon Manor School Order: Order dismisses Graydon Manor’s petition for reconsideration as untimely and also dismisses the petition because it relies on arguments that fail to identify any material error, omission, or reason warranting reconsideration and relies on arguments that have been fully considered and rejected by the Commission within the same proceeding.
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8/7/2012
Tracfone Public Notice: In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request to include the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in the list of programs which qualify households for Lifeline under the Commission’s rules.
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8/3/2012
Baltimore County Public Schools Order: In this order, the Bureau denies 13 requests from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by USAC to deny funding. The Bureau also denies one petition for reconsideration. The petitioners failed to submit their requests for review or waiver either to the Commission or to USAC within 60 days as required by the Commission’s rules.
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7/31/2012
Lifeline Program Savings Public Notice: In this report, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) provides an update on the implementation of the major reforms adopted by the Commission in the Lifeline Reform Order and the progress made towards the Commission’s $200 million savings target for 2012. The Bureau estimates that the reforms have already generated approximately $42.75 million in savings to the Universal Service Fund (Fund) thus far in 2012 compared to what would have been distributed to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) in the absence of reform. These savings were generated by continuing in-depth data validations (IDVs) to check for and eliminate duplicative Lifeline support, eliminating Link Up support on non-Tribal lands and on Tribal lands for Lifeline-only ETCs, and capping support for Toll Limitation Service (TLS). Based on these savings and anticipated savings in the second half of the year, the Bureau anticipates the reforms will yield at least $200 million in savings to the Fund for 2012.
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7/31/2012
Network Services Solutions, L.L.C. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Network Services Solutions, L.L.C. (NSS) for a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules. That section requires that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reimburse any monies due a carrier from the universal service rural health care support mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier’s universal service support obligations. NSS also requests that the Commission grant an expedited stay of USAC’s decision, allowing NSS to continue to receive bi-monthly rural health care support disbursements pending the Commission’s review of the instant waiver request.
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7/31/2012
Providence Seward Medical and Care Center Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Providence Seward Medical and Care Center (Providence Seward) seeking reversal of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC reduced Providence Seward's funding requests for Funding Year 2010 under the rural health care support mechanism. Providence Seward argues that USAC erroneously applied a mileage-based charge in calculating Providence Seward’s universal service support and that Providence Seward has been unfairly prejudiced by delays in USAC’s determinations.
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7/31/2012
Community Eligibility Option Guidance Letter: In this letter, the Bureau provides USAC with guidance on the impact of the United States Department of Agriculture’s new National School Lunch Program reimbursement mechanism, known as the Community Eligibility Option, on the universal service E-rate program.
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7/30/2012
Special Education District of Lake County Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies an appeal of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company filed by the Special Education District of Lake County.
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7/30/2012
Burke County Board of Education Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants an appeal of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company filed by the Burke County Board of Education.
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7/27/2012
Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. d/b/a Innovative Telephone (Innovative) for a waiver of the filing deadline required by section 54.904(d) of the Commission’s rules. Section 54.904(d) sets forth the deadline for carriers eligible to receive Interstate Common Line Support to file an annual certification with the Universal Service Administrative Company and the Commission.
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7/26/2012
Rates Survey Public Notice: In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a proposed survey of urban rates for fixed voice and fixed broadband residential services. The Bureau also seeks comment concerning how, using data from the urban rates survey, to determine the local voice rate floor and the reasonable comparability benchmarks for fixed voice and fixed broadband services.
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7/25/2012
Allband Communications Cooperative Order: In this order, we grant in part and dismiss as moot in part a petition filed by Allband Communications Cooperative (Allband or Company) for a waiver of section 54.302 of the Commission’s rules, which established a $250 per line per month cap on high-cost universal service support (“$250 cap”), and section 36.621(a)(5) of the Commission’s rules, which limits reimbursement of capital and operating costs from high-cost loop support (HCLS).
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7/25/2012
Debt Collection Process for Delinquent Contributors Public Notice: Office Of Managing Director announces revised debt collection process for delinquent contributors to the Universal Service Fund, the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund and the North American Numbering Plan.
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7/25/2012
Windstream Communications Public Notice: In this Public Notice, WCB seeks comment on a petition filed by Windstream Communications for waiver of certain portions of section 54.312(b) of the Commission’s rules, which, among other things, provides that a recipient of CAF Phase I incremental support must deploy broadband to one unserved location, as shown on the then-current National Broadband Map, for every $775 of incremental support the recipient accepts.
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7/25/2012
South Country Central School District Order: Consistent with precedent, we deny three appeals seeking review of decisions of the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program.
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7/25/2012
Akisha Networks, Inc. Order: Consistent with precedent, we deny three appeals seeking review of decisions of the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program.
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7/25/2012
NASUCA Order: This order denies NASUCA's motion for a thirty-day extension for all commenter to file reply comments to the Contribution Methodology Reform and Modernization FNPRM.
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7/23/2012
La Poynor Independent School Distict Order: In this order, the Bureau grants LaPoynor ISD's request for review seeking review of a decision made by USAC to deny funding because LaPoynor sought cancellation of funding.
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7/23/2012
Al Noor High School Order: In this order, the Bureau grants 16 requests for review and/or waiver from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by USAC to deny or rescind funding because the petitioners violated the Commission’s rule that a contract or legally binding agreement be in place when the FCC Form 471 application is submitted.
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7/19/2012
Rural Health Care Reform Further Comments Public Notice: In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks to develop a more focused and comprehensive record in several areas in the pending Rural Health Care reform rulemaking proceeding, particularly with regard to the proposed Broadband Services Program.
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7/19/2012
ACS Wireless, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by ACS Wireless, Inc. for a waiver of section 54.313(j) of the Commission’s rules, which requires an eligible telecommunications carrier to file an annual report with the Commission, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the relevant state commissions, relevant authority in a U.S. Territory, or Tribal governments, as appropriate.
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7/18/2012
FY 2012 Rollover Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau announces the carry-forward of $1.050 billion in E-rate funds for funding year 2012.
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7/18/2012
Connect America Fund Phase I Clarification Order: In this Order, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) clarifies certain rules relating to Phase I of the Connect America Fund (CAF) in order to assist the price cap carriers that shortly will be making their election to accept additional funding to spur broadband deployment.
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7/13/2012
Integrity Communications (Brooks Consolidated Independent School District) Order: Consistent with precedent, we grant 4 requests for review of decisions made by USAC denying funding or seeking recovery of funding provided because the petitioners did not demonstrate that they had sufficient resources to effectively use the E-rate services they sought to purchase. The Bureau also dismisses two appeals for applications that were withdrawn.
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7/12/2012
Border to Border Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Border to Border Communications, Inc. for waiver of two high-cost universal service rules.
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7/11/2012
Birch, Blue Jay, EZ Reach, Linkup Telecom, Tele Circuit Network and You Talk Mobile Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on petitions filed by Birch, Blue Jay Wireless, EZ Reach Mobile, Linkup Telecom, Tele Circuit Network Corporation and You Talk Mobile-Federal for designation as eligible telecommunications carriers.
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7/11/2012
Dell Telephone Cooperative Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Dell Telephone Cooperative for waiver of three high-cost universal service rules.
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7/11/2012
Puerto Rico Telephone Company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Puerto Rico Telephone Company, Inc.
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7/11/2012
Critical Alert Systems Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Critical Alert Systems, LLC, formerly known as NEP, LLC.
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7/9/2012
Tracfone Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on May 30, 2012 by TracFone Wireless (TracFone) to require eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) to retain documentation of program-based eligibility. In its petition, TracFone requests that the Commission require all ETCs to retain a copy of the underlying documentation used to determine program-based Lifeline eligibility for at least three years following receipt of such documentation. TracFone states that the recently-adopted rule, 47 C.F.R § 54.410(c)(1)(i)(B), which requires ETCs to review subscriber documentation prior to enrollment, does not sufficiently protect against waste, fraud, and abuse.
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7/6/2012
Rural Health Care Bridge Funding Order: In this order, we maintain support on a limited, interim, fiscally responsible basis for specific Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program) participants that have exhausted their funding this year or will exhaust such funding during funding year 2012.
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Commissioner McDowell Statement: Word|PDF
Commissioner Clyburn Statement:Word|PDF

7/6/2012
Albany City School District Order: Consistent with precedent, we grant five requests and deny one request from petitioners to correct clerical errors they made in submissions to the Universal Service Administrative Company for support under the E-rate program.
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7/5/2012
Colorado Public Utilities Commission Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on June 18, 2012 by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (Colorado PUC) pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules. In its petition, the Colorado PUC requests the Commission’s agreement to redefine the service area of Nucla-Naturita Telephone Company.
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7/5/2012
CTIA -The Wireless Association and the United States Telecom Association Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for clarification and in the alternative a petition for waiver of various reporting requirements of sections 54.313(a)(11), 54.313(c) and 54.313(a)(1) of the Commission’s rules and clarification or reconsideration of the five-year service quality improvement plans filed by CTIA and USTelecom on June 25 2012.
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7/5/2012
Eligible Services List Public Notice: By this public notice, we seek comment on a draft eligible services list (draft ESL) for the schools and libraries universal support mechanism (E-rate program) for funding year 2013.
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6/29/2012
Hopi Telecommunications, Inc. Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request for a limited extension of time to Hopi Telecommunications, Inc. to submit an application to participate in the Commission's broadband adoption pilot program for low-income consumers.
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6/29/2012
2012 Second Modification of Average Schedule Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau approves modifications proposed by NECA to the formula used to calculate universal service high-cost loop support starting July 1, 2012.
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6/27/2012
CenturyLink Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on CenturyLink’s petition for waiver of deployment requirements for Connect America Fund Phase I.
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6/26/2012
Silver Star Telephone Company Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies petitions to stay the implementation of the HCLS benchmarks filed by Silver Star Telephone Company, Blue Valley Telecommunications, East Ascension Telephone Company, and a group of rural trade associations.
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6/26/2012
West River Cooperative Telephone Company and Kennebec Telephone Companies Order: TWCB grants requests of West River Cooperative and Kennebec Telephone for expedited waiver to correct their study area boundaries used for high-cost loop support benchmarks.
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6/22/2012
High Cost Loop Support Data Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau announces access to high-cost loop support data submitted by NECA.
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6/21/2012
Churchill County School District Order: In this order, the Bureau denies eight requests from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by USAC to deny funding. The petitioners failed to submit their requests for review or waiver either to the Commission or to USAC within 60 days as required by the Commission’s rules).
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6/21/2012
The State Educational Technology Directors Association Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) asking for clarification on the use of funding from the E-rate program (more formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program) for remote access by teachers and students to virtual private networks (VPNs).
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6/21/2012
Believe Wireless Public Notice: This public notice seeks comment on a request for reversal of late fees assessed due to Believe Wireless’ 2012 FCC Form 499-A.
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6/20/2012
District of Columbia PSC Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau releases an order granting a petition filed by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (DC PSC) on behalf of itself and the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) for waiver from 47 C.F.R. § 54.410(d) of the Commission’s rules adopted in the Lifeline Reform Order.
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6/20/2012
Colorado Springs School District Order: In this order, we granted the requests for review. Remanded the underlying applications to USAC for further consideration.
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6/18/2012
Annunciation Elementary School Order: In this order, the Bureau grants two requests for waiver and review from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by USAC to deny funding because the petitioners did not file their FCC Forms 472 or 474 timely. The Bureau also dismiss one request for review as moot.
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6/13/2012
i-wireless, LLC Order: In this Order, the Wireline Competition Bureau conditionally grants the Amended i-wireless ETC Petition and the Amended Cricket ETC Petition for the purpose of providing Lifeline services in certain states.
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6/12/2012
Marconi Communications, Inc. Order: Consistent with precedent, we grant a request for waiver filed by Marconi Communications, Inc. regarding the timely submission of an appeal of a USAC COMAD decision. Specifically, we grant the waiver of the appeal filing deadline finding that Marconi submitted its appeal to USAC in a reasonable time period after receiving actual notice of the decision.
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6/12/2012
Kearney Public Schools Order: Consistent with E-rate program rules and procedures, we grant a request for review by Kearney Public Schools of a USAC COMAD decision to recover funds that were invoiced to USAC. The appeal specifically requests that USAC reduce the recovery amount for equivalent equipment that was purchased, but that was not the exact equipment originally requested.
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6/12/2012
Milburn Public Schools Order: In this order, we address two appeals from Milburn Public Schools seeking review of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program for funding years 2005 and 2006.
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6/12/2012
Birmingham City Schools Order: Wireline Competition Bureau grants in part and denies in part an appeal of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company filed by Birmingham City Schools.
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6/11/2012
The Compliance Plan of NTCH, Inc. Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau approves the compliance plan for participation in the Lifeline program of NTCH, Inc. NTCH, a facilities based carrier, was conditionally granted forbearance from the service area redefinition requirement.
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6/8/2012
Comments on Model Design and Data Inputs for Phase II on the Connect America Fund Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a number of threshold decisions regarding the design of and data inputs to the forward-looking cost model to be used in Connect America Fund Phase II, and on other assumptions in the cost models currently in the record.
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6/7/2012
Universal Service Contribution Methodology Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Comment Deadline Public Notice: In this public notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau announces deadlines for comments on the Universal Service Contribution Methodology Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
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6/7/2012
Albertville City Schools Order: In this order, the Bureau grants 12 requests for waiver and review from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by USAC to deny or reduce funding because the petitioners did not file their FCC Form 486 timely.
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6/6/2012
Letter to Sandwich Isles Communications, Inc.: In this letter, WCB requests further information from Sandwich Isles regarding its petition for waiver of section 54.302 of the Commission’s rules.
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6/1/2012
CAF Phase II Model Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau reports on its progress towards developing the Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II model.
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6/1/2012
Study Area Boundaries Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on data specifications for collecting study area boundaries.
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6/1/2012
Average Schedule Company Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the proposed formula which if approved is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2012, and remain in effect through December 3, 2012.
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5/31/2012
ADAK Eagle Enterprises, LLC d/b/a ADAK Telephone Utility Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Adak Eagle Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Adak Telephone Utility for waiver of section 54.302 of the Commission’s rules, which establishes a total limit on high-cost universal service support of $250 per-line per-month to be phased in over three years beginning July 1, 2012.
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5/31/2012
Lifeline Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau releases an order granting in part and denying in part four separate petitions filed by US Telecom, California, Oregon and Colorado seeking permanent or temporary waiver of the various rules adopted in the Lifeline Reform Order.
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5/31/2012
Imagine College Preparatory High School Order: In this order, the Bureau grants five requests for waiver and review from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by USAC to reduce or deny funding because USAC found that the applicants failed to respond to its requests for additional information within the USAC-specified time frame. Bureau also dismisses one appeal as moot.
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5/31/2012
HCLS Benchmarks Order Filing and Commenting Deadline Reminder Public Notice: In this Public Notice, WCB announces deadlines for comments on four applications for review of WCB’s HCLS Benchmarks Order.
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5/29/2012
USAC Board of Directors Appointment Letter: Chairman Genachowski Names Member to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company.
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5/25/2012
American Broadband & Telecomm, Budget Prepay, Consumer Cellular, Global Connection, Terracom and Total Call Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau approves compliance plans for participation in the Lifeline program by American Broadband & Telecommunications, Budget PrePay, Consumer Cellular, Global Connection, Inc. of America, TerraCom and Total Call.
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5/23/2012
Sprint Nextel Corporation Order: In this order we grant Sprint's appeal and find that in funding year 2006 Anaheim City sought mobile broadband service that was eligible for funding as Internet access. We also deny Sprint's associated waiver request in the appeal asking that funding be granted to Anaheim City for the end-user connection cards associated with the service.
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5/22/2012
CCRC Community Link Order: Consistent with precedent, this order denies five requests from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program to deny them funding for an entity ineligible for E-rate support.
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5/22/2012
Anderson Elementary School Order: In this order, we grant 56 requests from petitioners for waivers of the FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline for funding years 2005, 2011 and 2012 under the E-rate program. We deny 18 other such requests.
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5/22/2012
USAC's Draft Audit Report Extension Order: In this order, the Bureau grants USAC a limited waiver of section 54.717(f) of the Commission's rules to extend the filing deadline through August 1, 2012, for USAC's independent auditor to submit its draft audit report for calendar year 2011.
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5/21/2012
Diversified Computer Solutions, Inc. Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau dismiss as moot two appeals filed by Diversified Computer Solutions, Inc., on behalf of four school districts after finding that all submitted invoices were funded.
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5/18/2012
E-Rate Inflation Based Cap for FY 2012 Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau announces that the inflation-based increase for the funding year 2012 E-rate is 2.1%, resulting in $48,104,327 more E-rate dollars and raising the cap to $2,338,786,577.
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5/16/2012
Diversified Computer Solutions, Inc. Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau grants 15 appeals from petitioners seeking to reverse the decisions of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which found that technology plan rules for the E-rate program had been violated.
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5/16/2012
Academy of Excellence Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau grants 15 appeals from petitioners seeking to reverse the decisions of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which found that technology plan rules for the E-rate program had been violated.
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5/14/2012
USF/ICC Transformation Third Order on Reconsideration: The Commission reconsiders and clarifies certain aspect of the USF/ICC Transformation Order in response to various petitions for reconsideration and/or clarification. The Commission addresses certain aspects of ETC reporting obligations, support adjustments for carriers with artificially low local rates, and issues related to support for carriers serving Alaska. The Commission also denies two requests related to intercarrier compensation.
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5/9/2012
Central Technology Center Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants 13 and denies eight requests from petitioners found in violation of the Commission's requirement that an FCC Form 470 or request for proposal be available for the entire 28-day period after being posted to USAC's website.
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5/9/2012
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Order: In this order, we grant the requests filed by Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) and GCI Communication Corp. (GCI) seeking review of decisions by the Rural Health Care Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC or the Administrator). USAC denied portions of 38 Funding Year (FY) 2008 requests for support under the federal rural health care universal service support mechanism because it determined the services for which YKHC sought support were not necessary for the provision of health care until YKHC installed specific equipment. Upon review of the record before us, we find that USAC erred in its decision, and we therefore remand YKHC’s application to USAC for further processing consistent with this order.
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5/4/2012
California PUC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau releases a Public Notice seeking comment on a petition filed by the California Public Utilities Commission seeking a waiver from Section 54.410 of the rules adopted in the Lifeline Reform Order.
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5/4/2012
Billing School District 2 Order: In the order, we grant and remand the appeal because we conclude that USAC erred in its finding that Billings was building or purchasing a WAN.
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5/4/2012
Webinar Public Notice: On May 14, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) will hold a webinar to discuss the Broadband Adoption Lifeline Pilot Program. The Bureau encourages virtual participation and will take questions from remote participants. The Webinar will feature short presentations by three experts who specialize in project design of field experiments, and a discussion by the experts on designing pilot projects for the Broadband Adoption Pilot Program. In addition, staff from the Bureau will be available to answer questions regarding the application procedures for entities interested in filing applications to participate in the Broadband Adoption Pilot Program. Applications are due July 2, 2012.
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5/4/2012
Accipiter Communications Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for waiver of section 54.302 and other new rules of the Commission's rules relating to the new regression cap formulas, WC Docket Nos. 10-90 and 10-208 (filed April 18, 2012); 47 C.F.R. § 54.302.
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5/4/2012
Saint Raphel Academy Order: Consistent with the Bureau's Queen of Peace Order (in which the Bureau concluded that allowing applicants to reference specific vendors, products or services on their FCC Form 470 or request for proposal (RFP) poses a risk to the competitive bidding process, but declined to penalize applicants that engaged in such practice prior to release of that order), we grant three appeals filed by Saint Raphael Academy.
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5/4/2012
Public Notice Seeking Comment On State Petitions: The Wireline Competition Bureau releases a Public Notice seeking comment on petitions filed by state commissions seeking a waiver from the uniform eligibility criteria adopted in the Lifeline Reform Order.
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5/3/2012
Alex Public School District I-56 Order: In this order, the Bureau denies 10 requests for review from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by USAC to deny or reduced funding on the grounds that the applicants failed to submit their requests for review or waiver either to the Commission or to USAC within 60 days as required by the Commission's rules.
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5/3/2012
Service Area Redefinition Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau consents to four proposed service area redefinitions.
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5/3/2012
Telenational Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Telenational Communications, Inc. petition for waiver of section 54.314(a) of the Commission's, WC Docket No. 08-71(filed April 2, 2012); 47 C.F.R. § 54.314 (a).
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5/3/2012
Onslow County School District Order: In this order, the Bureau grants a request from the Onslow County School District and the North Carolina Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) seeking a waiver of section 54.504(a) of the Commission’s rules and any applicable USAC procedural deadlines in order to allow the current billed entity, ITS, to revise its FCC Form 471 application under the E-rate program as part of the LOTG pilot program.
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5/3/2012
Public Works Commission of Fayetteville Order: This order addresses 10 appeals concerning denials of E-rate program support for violations of the rule that telecommunications must be provided by a telecommunications carrier. It grants seven (one in part) and denies three.
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5/1/2012
Public Notice Seeking Comment on USTelecom Petition for Waiver from Certain Rules Adopted in the Lifeline Reform Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau releases a Public Notice seeking comment on a petition filed by USTelecom seeking a temporary waiver of sections 54.407(d), 54.410(b)(2), 54.410(c)(2) adopted in the Lifeline Reform Order. Comments are due May 15, 2012.
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5/1/2012
Public Notice Released Regarding Effective Dates of Certain Lifeline Rules Subject to OMB Approval: The Wireline Competition Bureau releases a Public Notice announcing the effective dates of certain rules established in the Lifeline Reform Order which were subject to approval by the Office of Management and Budget.
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4/30/2012
USF Contributions Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: The Commission seeks comment on proposals to reform and modernize how Universal Service Fund contributions are assessed and recovered.
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4/30/2012
LifeLine Pilot Program Application Procedures and Deadline Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau released a Public Notice setting forth the application procedures and deadline of July 2, 2012, for applicants to submit proposed pilot projects for offering discounted broadband service.
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4/27/2012
South Bay Union School District Order: Consistent with precedent, we deny the petition for waiver filed by South Bay. South Bay seeks waiver of section 54.502, to the extent the rule requires that equipment for PBX be treated as “priority 2” services under the schools and libraries program.
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4/27/2012
Q Link, Total Call and True Wireless Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on petitions for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier filed by Q Link Wireless, Total Call Mobile and True Wireless.
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4/25/2012
Opposition Dates Set for Lifeline Order Reconsideration Petitions Public Notice: On April 5, 2012, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau released a Public Notice listing petitions for reconsideration of the Commission’s Lifeline Reform Order. The Public Notice was subsequently published in the Federal Register and the Wireline Competition Bureau issues this Public Notice listing May 7, 2012 and May 15, 2012 as the dates in which parties must file oppositions and replies, respectively.
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4/25/2012
HCLS Benchmarks Implementation Order: WCB implements benchmarks for carriers receiving high-cost loop support (HCLS), placing reasonable overall limits on costs eligible for reimbursement through HCLS and redistributing freed-up HCLS to carriers that stay within the limits to allow for new broadband investment.
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4/25/2012
CAF Phase I Incremental Support Amounts Public Notice: WCB announces carriers' eligibility for Connect America Fund Phase I incremental support, which will be used to spur broadband deployment in unserved areas.
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4/24/2012
FY 2012 PIA Approval Letter: In this letter, the Bureau approves USAC's Schools and Libraries Funding Year 2012 Program Integrity Assurance FCC Form 471 Review Procedures.
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4/17/2012
PaeTec Communications Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by PaeTec Communications, Inc.
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4/17/2012
Widefield School District Order: The Division grants the appeals of Widefield School District of decisions made by USAC that reduce or deny funding from the E-rate program for various funding years because petitioners violated the competitive bidding requirements.
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4/17/2012
Kings Canyon Unified School District Order: The Division grants the appeals of Kings Canyon Unified School District of decisions made by USAC that reduce or deny funding from the E-rate program for various funding years because petitioners violated the competitive bidding requirements.
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4/17/2012
Portales Municipal School District Order: In this order, the Bureau denies two requests for review filed by Portales Municipal School District (Portales). The Bureau finds that Portales violated section 54.503 of the Commission's rules because it did not make a bona fide request for services by submitting a complete description of the services it was requesting to enable interested service providers to submit bids. The Bureau also finds that Portales did not have a signed contract in place when it filed its FCC Form 471 in violation of section 54.504 of the Commission's rules.
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4/16/2012
Nuestros Valores Charter School Order: We deny Nuestros Valores Charter School’s (Nuestros Valores) appeal of USAC's decision under the E-rate program seeking recovery of disbursed funds to Innovative Technology Partnerships for equipment provided to Nuestros Valores when it did not have a location within which to install the equipment, and that it did not install the equipment until five years after the funding year in which it sought funding.
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4/12/2012
Belwave Communications Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on BelWave Communications' request for waiver of late filing sanctions assessed by the Universal Service Administrative Company.
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4/12/2012
Beebe Public Schools Order: In this order, the Bureau grants eight requests for review from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by USAC to deny or reduced funding because the petitioners did not file their FCC Form 486 timely.
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4/10/2012
T-Mobile, Kajeet, Tag Mobile, Telrite and Global Connection Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on petitions for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier filed by T-Mobile, kajeet, Inc., TAG Mobile, Telrite Corp., and Global Connection, Inc. of America.
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4/6/2012
Texas Health Information Network Collaborative Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Texas Health Information Network Collaborative (TxHINC) for a 120 day extension of the June 30, 2012, universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program funding commitment deadline for projects to choose vendors and request funding commitment letters from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). TxHINC explains that due to circumstances unique to the state of Texas, it has been delayed in choosing vendors and submitting funding requests to USAC. TxHINC requests the Bureau extend TxHINC’s funding commitment deadline until October 30, 2012.
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4/5/2012
William Levis Appointment Order: Pursuant to sections 254(a) (1) and 410 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the Commission appoints William Levis, Colorado Consumer Counsel, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
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3/29/2012
Lifeline Reform Order Guidance on Effective Date Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau provides guidance regarding the effective date of the $9.25 flat rate on non-Tribal lands.
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3/29/2012
Aberdeen School District 5 Order: Consistent with precedent, we deny three requests and grant one request from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program.
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3/26/2012
Comments on Nomination for a Board Member Position on the USAC Board of Directors Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a nomination made by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) to fill a position on the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Board of Directors, to represent state telecommunications regulators. This position, which is currently vacant, was formerly held by South Carolina Commissioner Randy Mitchell. NARUC has nominated Florida Commissioner Ronald A. Brisé. Per NARUC’s nomination, Mr. Brisé has been a state commissioner since July 2010 and currently serves as Chair of the Florida Public Service Commission. Chairman Brisé also serves on multiple NARUC Committees, as well as the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.
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3/23/2012
Approach Learning And Assessment Center Order: In this order, we grant a request from the Approach Learning and Assessment Center, seeking review of a decision made by the Universal Service Administrative Company.
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3/22/2012
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Order: Wireline Competition Bureau dismisses as untimely a petition filed by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services seeking reconsideration of the Wireline Competition Bureau’s Juvenile Services Order, released on May 4, 2011.
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3/19/2012
Hondo Valley School District Order: The Division grants 8 appeals of decisions made by USAC that reduce or deny funding from the E-rate program for various funding years on the grounds that the funding requests are not cost-effective.
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3/14/2012
Network and More! Inc. Order: In this order, the Bureau finds improper vendor involvement in the competitive bidding process by the service provider, Networks and More! Inc. and therefore denies 16 requests for review (including a request filed by Long Branch Public Library), and dismisses as moot a request for review filed by Freehold Township Schools.
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3/12/2012
Falcon School District 49 Order: In this order, we deny five requests for review or request for waiver of USAC decisions regarding the applicants’ urban – rural designation. In each case, the schools are located in areas considered to be urban by E-rate program rules. We therefore affirm USAC’s decisions to classify the applicants as urban, and to calculate their discount levels based on E-rate program rules for urban schools and libraries.
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3/12/2012
Enterprise City School Order: In this order we deny five requests for review and/or requests for waiver of USAC decisions to reduce the applicants' requested discount level. USAC reduced the discount rate for each applicant because it was not supported by sufficient documentation. We affirm USAC's decisions.
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3/9/2012
USTelecom et al Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a Petition for Waiver and Clarification of the Commission’s Lifeline Reform Order filed by the United State Telecom Association, the Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance, the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, the Organization For the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies, the Western Telecommunications Alliance, and the Eastern Rural Telecom Association (collectively “USTelecom et al.”) on March 9, 2012. Comments are due March 20, 2012.
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3/8/2012
The Hargray Telephone Comany and Bluffton Telephone Company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Hargray Telephone Company and Bluffton Telephone Company petition for waiver of section 54.301(e) of the Commission's, WC Docket No. 08-71(filed February 17, 2012); 47 C.F.R. § 54.301(e).
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3/8/2012
The Chillicothe Telephone Company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Chillicothe Telephone Company petition for waiver of section 54.301(e) of the Commission's, WC Docket No. 08-71(filed March 5, 2012); 47 C.F.R. § 54.301(e).
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3/6/2012
Lifeline Comment Cycle Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau sets the comment cycle for Lifeline Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, released Feb. 6, 2012.
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3/6/2012
Mary Queen of Martyrs Order: In this order, the Bureau finds that the petitioners were not required to have signed letters of agency with their consultants and therefore USAC erred in denying their applications.
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3/6/2012
Northeast Arizona Technological Institute of Vocational Education Order: In this order, the Bureau finds that, despite the failure to correctly indicate on its Form 470 that it had issued an RFP, NATIVE’s Form 470 contained enough detail for service providers to identify the requested services and submit bids and therefore was a not a violation of Commission competitive bidding rules.
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3/5/2012
Aberdeen School District 5 Order: In the order we grant 44 requests from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by USAC under the E-rate program.
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3/5/2012
Annette Islands School District Order: Six E-rate service implementation appeals granted consistent with the Great Rivers/Tekoa or Bishop Perry Orders.
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3/5/2012
FCC Form 499-A Public Notice: On March 5, 2012, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) released the revised annual Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-A) and accompanying instructions.
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3/5/2012
FCC Form 499-Q Public Notice: On March 5, 2012, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) released revised instructions for the quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-Q).
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2/29/2012
Study Area Waiver Approval Public Notice: Telecommunications Access Policy Division of the Wireline Competition Bureau grants three petitions for waiver of the Commission's study area boundary freeze.
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2/29/2012
High Cost Universal Service Filing Deadline Public Notice: Telecommunications Access Policy Division of the Wireline Competition Bureau has found that there is good cause to grant three petitions for waiver of Commission rules.
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2/29/2012
Compliance Plans Guidance Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau provides guidance on the compliance plans that must be submitted to the Bureau by carriers seeking to avail themselves of the Commission’s conditional grant of forbearance in the Lifeline Reform Order.
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2/27/2012
TracFone Wireless, Inc. Emergency Petition for Declaratory Ruling and Interim Relief Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on an Emergency Petition for Declaratory Ruling and Interim Relief filed by TracFone Wireless, Inc. (TracFone) on February 22, 2012. In its petition, TracFone states that it received a letter from the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulatory Board (Board), directing TracFone to de-enroll, as of March 1, 2012, certain Lifeline subscribers found by the Board to be receiving duplicative Lifeline benefits. TracFone notes that a second letter directed the company to de-enroll, as of April 1, 2012, certain Lifeline subscribers found by the Board to be receiving more than one Lifeline benefit per family unit. According to the petition, de-enrolled subscribers would be barred from re-enrolling in Lifeline for four months following their de-enrollment by the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC). TracFone asserts that the Board’s process for resolving duplicative Lifeline subscriptions is inconsistent with Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, as well as the Commission’s Lifeline Reform Order.TracFone requests that the Commission issue an order concluding that the Board’s directives to TracFone and other ETCs are unlawful, and the Commission should preempt the Board’s duplicate resolution process.
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2/27/2012
Comments Sought on Funding Pilot Program Participants Transitioning out of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program in Funding Year 2012 Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on whether to fund Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program) participants who will exhaust funding allocated to them before or during funding year 2012 (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013). This funding would maintain support for qualifying Pilot Program participants, on an interim basis, during the 2012 funding year to provide time to establish a process to transition them into the permanent Rural Health Care support mechanism (RHC support mechanism). To support these transitioning Pilot Program participants, the funds that were previously designated for projects that withdrew from the Program or otherwise failed to meet the June 30, 2011, deadline could be used without increasing overall demand.
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2/24/2012
Aberdeen School District 5 Order: Consistent with Commission rules, we grant nine requests from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the E-rate program.
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2/24/2012
AllWays, Inc. (Praire Hills School District 144) Order: In this order, the Bureau denies 26 E-rate appeals of USAC decisions because the applicants sought funding for service, maintenance or products that are not eligible for E-rate support.
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2/23/2012
Oakland Unified School District Order: In this order, we grant a request by Oakland Unified School District for review of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company that rescinded funding committed to Oakland under the E-rate program for funding year 2004.
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2/23/2012
Charlton County Schook System Order: Consistent with precedent, we deny seven requests from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program.
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2/23/2012
Callisburg Independent School District Order: Consistent with precedent, we grant two requests and deny two requests from Callisburg Independent School District and its service provider, Trillion Partners, Inc. which seek review of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company.
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2/23/2012
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational District Order: Consistent with precedent, we grant 12 and deny five requests from petitioners to correct clerical errors they made in submissions to the Universal Service Administrative Company for support under the E-rate program.
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2/22/2012
Aberdeen School District Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants 37 appeals after finding that the petitioners either conducted a fair and open competitive bidding process or demonstrated good cause to waive sections 54.504 and 54.511 of the Commission's competitive bidding rules.
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2/22/2012
Laurens County School District Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies four appeals after finding that the petitioners violated the Commission's competitive bidding rules.
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2/22/2012
Al-Ihan Academy Order: Consistent with precedent, we grant one and deny 16 requests from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program to deny them funding due to a violation of the program rule requiring the applicant to pay its share of the price of the E-rate discounted services it purchased.
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2/17/2012
InComm Solutions, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by InComm Solutions, Inc. (InComm).
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2/17/2012
The Cinergy Metronet, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Cinergy MetroNet, Inc. petition for waiver of section 54.307(c) of the Commission's, WC Docket No. 08-71(filed February 1, 2012); 47 C.F.R. § 54.307(c).
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2/17/2012
Steelville Telephone Exchange, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review of USAC’s decision filed by Steelville Telephone Exchange, pursuant to section 54.719 of the Commission’s Rules, WC Docket No. 08-71(filed February 3, 2012); 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.719.
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2/15/2012
Connect America fund Cost Models Public Notice: On November 18, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) released the USF/ICC Transformation Order.
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2/15/2012
Learning On-The-Go Order: In this order, we grant in part and deny in part a request for waiver filed by the e-Bookroom Initiative concerning the Learning On-The-Go In the Matter ofPilot Program.
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2/15/2012
Marana Unified School District Order: The Division denies appeals of USAC E-rate decisions filed by the Marana Unified School District (Marana) and its service provider, Trillion Partners, Inc. (Trillion), rescinding Marana’s funding commitments for funding years 2006-2010. Specifically, USAC rescinded funding for 12 of Marana’s funding requests as part of its funding year 2006, 2007, and 2008 applications and sought recovery for funding already disbursed for funding years 2007 and 2008 on the ground that Marana violated the Commission’s competitive bidding requirements. For the same reasons, USAC also denied funding for nine of Marana’s funding requests as part of its funding year 2009 and 2010 applications. Upon review of the record, we find that Marana violated the Commission’s competitive bidding requirements. We therefore deny Marana’s and Trillion’s appeals and affirm USAC’s decisions. We direct USAC to continue recovery actions against Marana and its service provider, Trillion, consistent with the order.
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2/15/2012
Canon City School District Fremont RE-1 Order: Consistent with precedent, we grant 24 requests from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program.
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2/15/2012
Loneman Day School Order: E-rate grant and waiver where school missed services implementation and invoice submission deadlines, due to weather and construction changes.Decision consistent with Bishop Perry and Tekoa Academy Orders.
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2/13/2012
Allband Communications Cooperative Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Allband Communications Cooperative (Allband) for waiver of two high-cost universal service rules.
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2/13/2012
Big Bend Telephone Company, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Big Bend Telephone Company, Inc. (BBTC) for waiver of three high-cost universal service rules.
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2/10/2012
Alabama Rural Local Exchange Carriers Memorandum Opinion and Order: This order addresses three applications for review filed by the Alabama Rural Local Exchange Carriers (Alabama Rural LECs) and the Rural Local Exchange Carriers (Rural LECs) (collectively, Petitioners) pursuant to section 1.115 of our rules.
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2/8/2012
Bonnie Brae Educational Center School Order: In the Bonnie Brae Educational Center School E-rate order, consistent with the Commission’s Boston School Order, we deny 23 appeals of USAC decisions that reduced or denied funding from the E-rate program for various funding years on the grounds that the petitioners failed to submit their requests for review or waiver either to the Commission or to USAC within 60 days as required by the Commission’s rules.
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2/8/2012
WiscNet Order: This order we address 9 appeals in which USAC stated that the applicants had violated the Commission’s competitive bidding requirements because the applicants’ FCC Forms 470 contained contact information for WiscNet, a service provider that participated in the competitive bidding process. We dismiss as moot 4 appeals in which USAC resolved the alleged violation, rescinded the commitment adjustment (COMAD) letters, and issued revised funding commitments. We also grant 5 additional appeals concerning the same alleged issue involving WiscNet.
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2/7/2012
Cricket Communications, Inc. Order: In this Order, we approve a Compliance Plan submitted by Cricket Communications, Inc. (Cricket) for complying with conditions imposed in the Cricket Forbearance Order.
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2/6/2012
Lifeline Reform Order: The Report and Order comprehensively reforms and begins to modernize the Universal Service Fund's Life program. The Order substantially strengthens protections against waste, fraud and abuse and improves program administration and accountability. The Order includes a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on a number of program issues, including the establishment of an eligibility database and using universal service funds to support digital literacy.
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2/6/2012
CAF I Data Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on Potential Data for Connect America Fund Phase One Incremental Support.
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2/3/2012
Clarifying Aspects of USF/ICC Transformation Order: The Commission delegated to the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureaus) the authority to revise and clarify rules as necessary to ensure that the reforms adopted in the Order are properly reflected in the rules.
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2/3/2012
Virgin Mobile USA, LP Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Virgin Mobile’s petition for Commission agreement with the Kansas State Corporation Commission for redefinition of the service areas of several rural telephone companies.
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2/3/2012
USF/ICC Public Notice: On January 12, 2012, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau released a Public Notice listing the 24 petitions for reconsideration of the Commission’s USF/ICC Transformation Order.
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2/3/2012
ACS Wireless, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by ACS Wireless, Inc. of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company.
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2/2/2012
USF Joint Board Appointment Order: The Commission appoints the Honorable Randy Mitchell, Commissioner – South Carolina Public Service Commission, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
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2/2/2012
FCC Form 499-A Public Notice: The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), seeks access to certain carrier revenue information for 2009 that the Commission collected from wireless carriers on FCC Form 499-A (Form 499-A).
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1/27/2012
InterCall Order: In this Order, the Commission denies petitions for reconsideration of the 2008 InterCall Order, in which the Commission clarified that InterCall and all similarly-situated audio bridging service providers are required to contribute directly to the USF.
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1/27/2012
ITTA et al. Clarification PN Concerning the Connect America Fund Rate Floor: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance (ITTA), National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO), and Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) (collectively, the Petitioners) for clarification of certain aspects of the recently adopted rules in the USF/ICC Transformation Order and FNPRM.
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1/27/2012
American Broadband Order: In this order, pursuant to section 10(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), we extend by 90 days the date by which the petition requesting forbearance filed by American Broadband & Telecommunications (American Broadband) shall be deemed granted in the absence of a Commission decision that the petition fails to meet the standards for forbearance under section 10(a) of the Act.
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1/25/2012
Clintonville Public School District Order: Consistent with precedent, we grant six requests from petitioners seeking review of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program.
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1/24/2012
The Vermont Public Service Board Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by the Vermont Public Service Board (VPSB) for clarification of several aspects of the USF/ICC Transformation Order and FNPRM that relate to intrastate rate designs that include Local Measured Service.
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1/23/2012
Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Virgin Mobile’s petition for forbearance from the service area definition requirement for eligible telecommunications carriers for the limited purpose of participating in the Lifeline program.
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1/12/2012
Los Lunas School District Order: Consistent with the Wireline Competition Bureau's decision in the Barrow County School District Order, we grant the appeal filed by Los Lunas School District of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company that denies funding.
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1/12/2012
Archdioces of Chicago School Order: Consistent with the Commission's precedent in the Alaska Gateway Order, we grant 22 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company that reduce or deny funding from the E-rate program for various funding years.
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1/12/2012
Bais Chaya Mushka Order: In this order, we address 31 requests from petitioners seeking waivers of the FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline for funding years 2007, 2010 and 2011 under the E-rate program, including two petitions for reconsideration of an earlier Wireline Competition Bureau decision. Consistent with the Commission’s Academy of Math and Science Order, and based on our review of the record, we find that 15 petitioners have demonstrated that special circumstances exist to justify a waiver of that filing window deadline and we deny the remaining 14 requests for waiver and the two petitions for reconsideration.
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1/11/2012
Grant Stamp Public Notice: The Telecommunications Access Policy Division of the Wireline Competition Bureau has found that there is good cause to grant three petitions for waiver of Commission rules setting forth deadlines.
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1/11/2012
Equant, Inc. Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Equant, Inc.. Equant seeks review and reversal of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company, which among other things, finds that Equant owes universal service fund contributions on audio conferencing revenues for the period prior to the effective date of the InterCall Order.
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1/10/2012
Integrity Communications, Ltd. Order: In this Order, we dismiss in part and deny in part an Application for Review filed by Integrity Communications, Ltd. Integrity or Petitioner of a Wireline Competition Bureau order.
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1/10/2012
Sandwich Isles Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Sandwich Isles Communications, Inc. for waiver of the universal service and intercarrier compensation reform rules.
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1/9/2012
2011 Modification High Cost Universal Service Support Formulas Order: Each year, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) reviews and approves or modifies any proposed modifications to the formulas used to calculate universal service high-cost loop support (HCLS) and local switching support (LSS) for average schedule companies. Pursuant to section 69.606(b) of the Commission’s rules, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA) files the annual average schedule company formula modifications for HCLS. Pursuant to section 54.301(f) of the Commission’s rules, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) submits the proposed formula for LSS. The Commission’s rules require that these formulas “simulate the disbursements that would be received … by a company that is representative of average schedule companies.
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1/9/2012
Walnut Hill Telephone Company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Walnut Hill Telephone Company request for review of a decision by USAC regarding an audit conducted by KPMG and the findings of irregular accounting practices relating to Part 32 of Uniform System of Accounts and a petition for waiver of section 32.27(c) of the Commission's rules.
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1/5/2012
UTEX Communications Corp Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by UTEX Communications Corp. UTEX seeks review and reversal of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company, which among other things, assessed late fees and penalties associated with UTEX’s 2009 FCC Form 499-A and rejected revisions to a number of FCC Forms 499-A filed prior to 2009.
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1/5/2012
inContact, Inc. Memorandum Opinion and Order: inContact, Inc. sought review of a Bureau order finding that inContact’s request for review of a USAC decision was procedurally defective. The Commission concludes that inContact failed to demonstrate Bureau error.
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12/23/2011
Clear World Communications Corporation Order: Clear World Communications Corporation sought review of a Bureau order finding that Clear World understated its contributions to the USF. The Commission concludes that Clear World failed to demonstrate Bureau error.
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12/22/2011
Animas School District 6 Order: Consistent with our precedent, we grant 46 appeals of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that denied or rescinded funding for various funding years from the E-Rate program (formally known as the universal service schools and libraries program). The applications were denied on the grounds that the petitioners’ violated the Commission’s rule that a contract or legally binding agreement be in place when the FCC Form 471 application is submitted.
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12/22/2011
Midcontinent Communications Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Midcontinent Communications for waiver of a filing deadline required by section 54.307(c) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of high-cost universal service support. Section 54.307(c) sets forth the deadline for a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier to file line count data with the Universal Service Administrative Company to receive high-cost universal service support.
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12/22/2011
Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. d/b/a Innovative Telephone (Innovative) to waive the National Exchange Carrier Association's (NECA) rolling 24-month adjustment period and require that NECA recalculate Innovative's 2011 High Cost Loop Support (HCLS) based on corrected loop count data. Innovative claims that its 2009 loop count data submitted to NECA was inaccurate because Innovative had been erroneously including loops that were related to non-switched wideband services.
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12/22/2011
Citizens Tel Coop Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Citizens Tel Coop for waiver of a filing deadline required by section 54.314(d) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of high-cost universal service support. Section 54.314(d), among other things, sets forth the deadline for a rural incumbent local exchange carrier that is not subject to state jurisdiction to file an annual certification with the Commission and the Universal Service Administrative Company stating that the carrier “will only use support for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which support is intended,” which is required for such a carrier to be eligible to receive high-cost universal service support.
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12/19/2011
Indian Health Service-White Swan Health Station Public Notice: In this public notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment regarding a request for review of a USAC decision.
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12/19/2011
Northeast Montana Health Services Public Notice: In this public notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment regarding a request for review of a USAC decision that reduced rural health care support to Northeast Montana Health Services.
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12/16/2011
Telispire Forbearance Withdrawal Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau approves Telispire’s notice to withdraw its forbearance petition seeking facilities based forbearance on behalf of MVNOs.
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12/15/2011
Forward-Looking Cost Models Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau requests parties to submit forward-looking cost models by February 1, 2012 to be used for estimating Connect America Fund support amounts in price cap areas by the end of 2012 in order to provide support beginning January 1, 2013.
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12/13/2011
MeetingOne.com Corp Public Notice: Comment sought on an application for review filed by MeetingOne.com Corp. Petitioner seeks review of a Bureau order finding that: (1) IP audio bridging services are subject to USF, and (2) prospective-only application of such finding is not warranted.
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12/7/2011
Queen of Peace Order: In this order, we grant a request for review filed by Queen of Peace High School (Queen of Peace) seeking review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) concerning discounted services under the E-rate program for funding year (FY) 2009. We find that Queen of Peace’s competitive bidding process was not compromised by its inclusion of a service provider name on its FCC Form 470. We therefore grant its request for review and direct USAC to apply this ruling to all pending appeals and applications. We also clarify that the Commission’s competitive bidding rules prohibit applicants from including a particular manufacturer’s name, brand, product or service in an FCC Form 470 or request for proposals (RFPs) unless they also use the words “or equivalent” in such a description.
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12/7/2011
Katy Independent School District Order: In this order, we deny an appeal filed by Katy Independent School District (Katy) seeking review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying funding under the E-rate program. USAC rescinded the funding commitment for one of Katy’s funding requests on the ground that Katy violated the Commission’s competitive bidding requirements because it did not consider price as the primary factor in the vendor selection process. We agree with USAC that Katy did not give overall preference to cost when evaluating the bids and, thus, affirm USAC’s decision to rescind Katy’s funding commitment for FRN 1297321. To the extent funds have already been disbursed under this funding request to Katy or its service provider, Phonoscope, we direct USAC to institute or continue recovery actions against them.
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12/7/2011
Washington RSA No. 8 Limited Partnership Order: In this Order, we deny a request by Washington RSA No. 8 Limited Partnership; Eastern Sub-RSA Limited Partnership d/b/a Inland Cellular (Inland Cellular) for a waiver of the universal service high-cost support filing deadlines set forth in sections 54.307(c) and 54.802(a) of the Commission rules.
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12/6/2011
Lifeline Duplicate Resolution Process Guidance Letter: The Wireline Competition Bureau releases a guidance letter directing the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to issue a request for proposals (RFP) by January 16, 2012, to procure customer care functionalities for the Lifeline Duplicate Resolution Process so that it can continue with targeted IDVs in select states when directed by the Wireline Competition Bureau.
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12/5/2011
Al-Ihsan Academy Order: The Wireline Bureau grants 5 and denies 6 appeals in E-rate RFP competitive bidding order.
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12/2/2011
USF/ICC Transformation Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau provides notice that it is releasing data and maps relevant to the USF/ICC Transformation Proceeding.
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11/29/2011
Lazo Technologies, Inc Order: In this order we deny a petition for reconsideration (Petition) filed by Lazo Technologies, Inc., Hill Professional Services, and Advanced Technology Solutions South (Petitioners).
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11/28/2011
Lakehills Consulting, LP Order: In this order, we deny the appeal filed by Joseph M. Hill, trustee in bankruptcy for Lakehills Consulting, LP (Lakehills) of the decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) concerning Houston Independent School District’s (Houston ISD) applications for discounted services under the E-rate program (more formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program) for funding years (FY) 2002-2004.
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11/22/2011
Bestel USA, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Bestel USA, Inc. (Bestel USA).
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11/18/2011
USF/ICC Transformation Order & FNPRM: In this order, the Commission comprehensively reforms and modernizes the universal service and intercarrier compensation systems to ensure that robust, affordable voice and broadband service, both fixed and mobile, are available to Americans throughout the nation.
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11/15/2011
CAL Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a compliance plan by CAL Communications detailing the company's adherence to conditions imposed in the CAL Communications Forbearance Order for the provision of Lifeline service.
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11/15/2011
PlatinumTel Communications, LLC. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a compliance plan filed by PlatinumTel detailing the company's adherence to conditions imposed in the PlatinumTel Forbearance Order for the provision of Lifeline service.
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11/14/2011
Triangle Communications System, Inc. Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau initiates a proceeding to consider petitions by Triangle Communications System, Inc. seeking the Commission’s agreement in redefining the service areas of rural telephone companies in Montana.
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11/4/2011
Dimmitt Independent School District Order: In this order, we grant appeals filed by Dimmitt Independent School District, et al. of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company concerning applications for discounted services under the E-rate program for FY 2006-2010.
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11/3/2011
MeetingOne.com Corp. Order: The Bureau denies MeetingOne's request for review of USAC decision that IP audio bridging services are subject to USF reporting and contribution obligations.
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11/1/2011
Coatesville Area School District Order: The Bureau dismisses a petition filed by Coatesville Area School District (PA) seeking reconsideration of a decision denying funding after Coatesville failed to submit an appeal to the Commission in a timely manner.
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11/1/2011
Lower Merion School District Order: In this order, the Bureau grants three requests for review finding that the petitioners did not seek E-rate discounts for ineligible dark fiber and denies one request for review finding that the petitioner sought E-rate funds for ineligible dark fiber.
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11/1/2011
The Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Service Vacany Order: By this order, and pursuant to section 410(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Communications Act), we hereby fill a vacancy created by a previous departure from the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services (Joint Conference).
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10/28/2011
Cintex Wireless, LLC Public Notice: WCB seeks comment Cintex Wireless, LLC's petition for limited ETC designation for the provision of Lifeline and Link Up support in Alabama,Connecticut,Delaware,District of Columbia,Florida,New Hampshire,New York,North Carolina, Tennessee and Virgina.
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10/27/2011
NE Colorado Cellelar, Inc. D/B/A Viaero Wireless Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau initiates a proceeding to consider a petition by NE Colorado Cellular, d/b/a Viaero Wireless seeking the Commission's agreement in redefining the service area of a rural telephone companies in Kansas.
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10/26/2011
Covert Public School District Order: Consistent with precedent, we grant an appeal filed by Covert Public School District (Covert) of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to deny funding in funding year 2008 under the E-rate program because Covert’s request for a services implementation deadline extension was late.We remand the underlying applications to USAC for further action consistent with this order, and we direct USAC to grant Covert’s request for a services implementation deadline extension within 90 calendar days from the release of this order.
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10/25/2011
NTCH's Compliance Plan Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a compliance plan filed by NTCH detailing the company’s adherence to conditions imposed in the NTCH Forbearance Order for the provision of Lifeline service.
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10/25/2011
Recellular's Compliance Plan Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a compliance plan filed by ReCellular detailing the company’s adherence to conditions imposed in the ReCellular Forbearance Order for the provision of Lifeline service.
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10/25/2011
Revised 2011 Annual Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau Releases Revised 2011 Annual Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-A) and Accompanying Instructions.
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10/21/2011
i-wireless, LLC Order: Wireline Competition Bureau approves i-wireless's Compliance Plan detailing the company's adherence to conditions imposed in i-wireless's Forbearance Order for the provision of Lifeline service.
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10/21/2011
Providence Seward Medical and Care Center Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Providence Seward Medical and Care Center seeking reversal of decisions of USAC, in which USAC reduced Providence Seward's funding requests for Funding Year 2009 under the rural health care support mechanism.
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10/21/2011
Horizon Health Care, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Horizon Health Care, Inc. (Horizon) seeking review of a decision of the USAC in which USAC determined that Horizon's administrative office is not a health care provider under section 54.601(1) of the Commission's rules and is not eligible to receive benefits under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program.
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10/21/2011
Annette Island Service Unit Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Annette Island Service Unit seeking a waiver of the rural health care FCC Form 466 filing deadline.
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10/20/2011
Low Income Program Disbursement Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau announced the publication in the Federal Register of the Bureau’s September 23, 2011 public notice seeking comment on a proposal for disbursing USF low income support based on actual claims as opposed to projected claims for support.
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10/18/2011
Sprint Nextel Corporation Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau releases an order of relinquishment for Sprint Nextel’s ETC designations in Alabama, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, effective Dec. 31, 2011.
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10/14/2011
Coordinated Construction, Inc. Order: In this order, we grant the request for review filed by Coordinated Construction, Inc. seeking review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company to recover funding for violating the USAC requirements.
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10/14/2011
West Virginia Department of Education Order: In this order, we grant the request for review filed by the West Virginia Department of Education on behalf of Summersville Elementary School, seeking review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative denying funding for discounted services under the E-rate program.
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10/12/2011
Cox Georgia Telecom, LLC Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau initiates a proceeding to consider a petition by Cox Georgia Telcom, LLC seeking the Commission's agreement in redefining the service area of a rural telephone company in Georgia).
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10/6/2011
Franklin County School District Order: In this order, we grant a petition for reconsideration by Franklin County School District, Louisburg, North Carolina, (Franklin County) of a decision by the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau).
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10/5/2011
Cricket Communications, Inc. Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a compliance plan filed by Cricket Communications for implementation of conditions for forbearance from the service area conformance requirement.
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10/5/2011
NECA 2012 Modifications Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the 2012 Modifications of Average Schedule Company Universal Service High-Cost Loop Support and Local Switching Support Formulas.
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9/30/2011
SEED Public Charter School of Washignton, DC Order: In this order, we address a consolidated appeal by SEED Public Charter School of Washington, D.C. (SEED) of three decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying requests for funding under the E-rate program (more formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program), on the grounds that the underlying applications violated the Commission’s competitive bidding requirements. As explained below, we find that SEED did not violate the Commission’s competitive bidding rules. We therefore grant the appeal and direct USAC to discontinue recovery actions against SEED and its service providers, Verizon-Washington, D.C., Inc., Avaya, Inc., America Online, CDW Computer Centers, Inc., Dell Marketing, LP, Nextel Communications of Mid-Atlantic, Inc., Starpower Communications, LLC, and Infosys Services, Inc., consistent with this order.
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9/28/2011
2012 Eligible Service List Order: In this order, we release the eligible services list for funding year 2012 for the schools and libraries universal service program.
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9/23/2011
PlatinumTel, LLC Order: The Commission grants PlatinumTel, CAL Communications and ReCellular. forbearance from the facilities requirement of sec 214(e)(1)(A) of the Act and sec 54.201(d), (i) of the Commission’s rules for eligibility to be designated a limited ETC for Lifeline program.
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9/23/2011
Low Income Disbursement Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a USAC proposal for disbursing USF low-income support based on ETC’s actual monthly support claims rather than projected monthly support claims.
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9/23/2011
All Saints Elementary School Order: In this order, we address 34 requests from petitioners seeking waivers of the FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline for funding years 2007, 2009, and 2011 under the E-rate program. Consistent with the Commission’s Academy of Math and Science Order, and based on our review of the record, we find that two petitioners filed their applications prior to the E-rate program’s FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline and 24 other petitioners have demonstrated that special circumstances exist to justify a waiver of that filing window deadline. We grant those requests for waiver and remand the underlying applications to USAC. We deny, however, the remaining eight requests for waiver.
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9/20/2011
Budget Repay, Inc. Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Budget PrePay’s petition for ETC designation in Florida for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up service.
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9/20/2011
Airvoice Wireless, LLC Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for forbearance from the facilities requirement for the purpose of participating in the Lifeline program filed by Airvoice.
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9/20/2011
PlatinumTel Communications, LLC Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on PlatinumTel’s petitions for limited ETC designation for the purpose of Lifeline and Link Up services in nine states and the District of Columbia.
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9/16/2011
NTCH, Inc. and Cricket Communications, Inc. Order: In this order, we address two petitions for forbearance, one filed by Cricket Communications, Inc. (Cricket) and one filed by NTCH, Inc. and its affiliated operating entity NTCH-West Tenn, Inc. (collectively, NTCH), pursuant to section 10 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act). These petitions seek forbearance from the requirement that the service area of a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) conform to the service area of any rural telephone company serving the same area, for the limited purpose of becoming designated as Lifeline-only ETCs.
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9/15/2011
PlatinumTel Communications, LLC., CAL Communications, Inc. and Recellular, Inc. Public Notice: Pursuant to Sec. 1.58 of the Commission's rules, WCB begins a two week quiet period, commencing Sept. 16, 2011, for PlatinumTel, CAL Communications and ReCellular Forbearance Petitions.
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9/14/2011
Tulsa Technology Center Order: In this order, the Bureau grants a request by the Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa) seeking review of a decision by USAC denying funding for discounted services under the E-rate program. USAC rescinded the funding commitment of one of Tulsa’s funding requests on the ground that Tulsa violated the Commission’s competitive bidding requirements by including the price of ineligible items in its evaluation of the most cost-effective proposal during its vendor selection process. According to the FY 2003 eligible services list, presubscribed interexchange carrier (PIC) change charges and change fees were eligible for discounts. We therefore find that Tulsa’s consideration of the costs associated with changing providers – i.e., PIC change charges and activation fees – was consistent with the Commission’s competitive bidding rules. We therefore direct USAC to discontinue recovery actions against Tulsa and its service provider.
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9/14/2011
Rockwood School District Order: In this order, the Bureau denies Rockwood and Yakutat School Districts' petitions for reconsideration of the Bureau's Beaver Area Memorial Library Order denying the school districts a waiver of the E-rate program’s FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline because the petitions were untimely filed and do not contain any new facts or circumstances that would result in a waiver of the Commission's rules.
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9/12/2011
Telenational Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Telenational Communications, Inc. for waiver of a filing deadline required by section 54.307(c) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of high-cost universal service support.
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9/8/2011
State of Arkansas Department of Information Systems Order: In this order, we reconsider a decision by the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) and grant a petition for reconsideration filed by the State of Arkansas Department of Information Systems.
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9/7/2011
Baltimore-Washington Telephone Company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Baltimore-Washington Telephone Company's request for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company.
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9/2/2011
Cornwall-Lebanon School District Order: In this order, consistent with the Bureau's decision in the Barrow County School District Order, the Bureau grants an appeal filed by Cornwall-Lebanon School District of a decision by USAC that reduced funding from the E-rate program for funding year 2010 because Cornwall-Lebanon inadvertently listed the wrong service start date information on its FCC Form 486. As the Bureau found in Barrow County School District Order, minor mistakes such as this do not warrant the complete rejection of this application given that the applicant made a procedural error and did not violate a Commission rule.
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9/2/2011
Maricopa County Regional School District Order: In this order, the Bureau dismisses an appeal without prejudice filed by Maricopa County Regional School District of a decision by USAC under the E-rate program for funding year 2008, because USAC subsequently issued a revised funding commitment decision letter approving the funding at issue.
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8/29/2011
Cricket Communications, Inc. and NTCH, Inc. Public Notice: Pursuant to Sec. 1.58 of the Commission’s rules, WCB begins a two-week quiet period, commencing Sept. 5, 2011, for the Cricket and NTCH Forbearance Petitions.
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8/25/2011
Protective Order: In the Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission proposed rules to reform and modernize the low income support mechanism of the universal service fund.
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8/22/2011
Funds For Learning Order: In this order, we accelerate disbursements of E-rate funding reserves so that more schools and libraries can upgrade their access to broadband services this year. We grant in part the petition filed by Funds for Learning (FFL) and direct the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to make funding commitments for priority two services at the 80 percent discount level for funding year 2010. On our own motion, we reverse our previous decision to deny priority two funding below 80 percent and direct USAC to make available funds for FY 2010 priority two requests at all discount levels. We also announce the carry forward of $850 million in reserved funds from the E-rate program to increase E-rate commitments for funding year 2011. These actions will expand opportunities for education and employment in many communities without increasing the size of the universal service fund.
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8/17/2011
Triangle Communications Systems, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on two petitions filed on August 4, 2011 by Triangle Communication System, Inc. (“Triangle”), pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules. In its petition, Triangle requests the Commission’s agreement with the Montana Public Service Commission to redefine the service area of two rural telephone companies. In one petition, Triangle seeks to redefine the service area of Central Montana Communications; in the other, Triangle seeks to redefine the service area of Triangle Telephone Cooperative Association, Inc.
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8/11/2011
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Report and Order: The Commission released a Report and Order clarifying the current CIPA rules and requiring E-rate recipient schools, per the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, to certify that they have updated their Internet safety policy to include provisions for educating minors about interacting social networking websites and cyberbullying awareness.
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8/8/2011
IP Telcom Group, Inc. Order: In this order, we deny a request filed by IP Telcom Group, Inc. for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company.
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8/8/2011
Riverdale Unified School District Order: The Bureau grants two requests for review finding that the petitioners Form 470s contained enough information for vendors to identify the desired services and submit bids.
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8/8/2011
Coahoma County School District Order: The Bureau grants an appeal finding that the petitioner did not violate its state and local procurement laws when selecting a vendor from a state master contract.
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8/8/2011
Baltimore City School District Order: The Bureau grants two requests for review finding that the petitioners did not violate the Commission's competitive bidding rules when selecting vendors using a tiered selection process.
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8/5/2011
Totah Communications, Inc. Order: In this order, the Bureau denies a petition filed by Totah Communications, Inc. (Totah) for a waiver of section 36.621(a)(4) of the Commission’s rules, which caps the amount of high-cost universal service support recoverable for carriers’ corporate operations expenses. Totah provides local exchange telephone service in areas of rural Oklahoma and states that it has corporate operations expenses that exceed the Commission’s limit on the recovery of such expenses for purposes of receiving loop support. In its request, Totah contends that it would not be able to maintain affordable rates in its service area without a waiver of the corporate operations expense cap. We conclude that Totah has failed to demonstrate that there is good cause to waive the applicable section of the Commission’s rules.
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8/5/2011
Blackfoot Communications, Inc. Public Notice: Blackfoot Communications, Inc. (BCI) seeks review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company to reclassify as interstate revenues a portion of BCI's fixed local service revenues.
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8/5/2011
Lifeline/Link Up Reform and Modernization Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks additional targeted comment on issues raised in the Commission's Lifeline/Link Up Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
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8/5/2011
E-Rate Inflation-Based Cap Public Notice: In this public notice, the Bureau announces that the E-rate program funding cap for funding year 2011 is $2,290,682,250. The new cap represents a 0.9% inflation-adjusted increase from funding year 2010’s $2,270,250,000 cap.
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8/4/2011
NE Colorado Cellular, Inc. Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition by NE Colorado Cellular, Inc. d/b/a Viaero Wireless seeking the Commission’s agreement in redefining the service area of several rural telephone companies in Kansas.
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8/4/2011
ABC Unified School District Order: In this order, consistent with the Bureau’s decision in the Alton Order, we grant 24 appeals of decisions by USAC reducing or denying funding for various funding years under the E-rate program on the grounds that the petitioners’ invoice forms were submitted late or not received by USAC.
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8/3/2011
Universal Service-Intercarrier Compensation Transformation Proceeding Public Notice: In response to the USF/ICC Transformation NPRM, several parties have offered specific proposals for reform. We seek comment on how these proposals comport with the Commission’s articulated objectives and statutory requirements. We invite comment on specific aspects of the proposals and on additional issues that are not fully developed in the record.
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8/3/2011
Burlington Township School District Order: In this order, consistent with the Commission’s Alpaugh Unified School District Order, the Bureau grants four appeals of decisions by USAC reducing or denying funding from the E-rate program for various funding years because USAC found that the applicants failed to respond to USAC’s requests for additional information within the USAC-specified time frame.
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8/3/2011
Bancroft Neurohealth Order: In this order, consistent with the Commission’s Alaska Gateway Order, the Bureau grants 13 appeals of decisions by USAC reducing or denying funding from the E-rate program for various funding years because USAC found the applicants failed to timely submit their FCC Forms 486.
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8/2/2011
Cedar-Wapsie Communications, Inc. Order: In this order, we grant four separate requests for waivers of various high-cost universal service support filing deadlines, filed by: (1) Cedar-Wapsie Communications, Inc. (Cedar-Wapsie); (2) DialToneServices, L.P. (DialToneServices); (3) Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. d/b/a Innovative Telephone (Innovative) and (4) Wildflower Telecommunications, LLC (Wildflower) (collectively, the petitioners).
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8/2/2011
TracFone Wireless, Inc.'s Self-Certification Order: In this order, we dismiss without prejudice a request filed by the Adams County E-911 Emergency Telephone Service Authority, the Arapahoe County E-911 Emergency Communication Service Authority, and the Jefferson County Emergency Communications Authority (collectively, the “Colorado 911 Authorities”) seeking Commission action pursuant to section 1.41 of the Commission’s rules. The Colorado 911 Authorities request that the Commission reject TracFone Wireless Inc.’s (TracFone) self-certification that it is in compliance with basic 911 and enhanced 911 (E911) requirements in the state of Colorado and compel TracFone to comply with Colorado law relating to 911 funding.
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7/27/2011
Loving Municipal Schools Order: In this order, we deny a request for review filed by Loving Municipal Schools (Loving) seeking review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying its funding requests for one of its schools under the E-rate program for funding year 2004 on the ground that the requested discount level was not supported by sufficient documentation.
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7/27/2011
Boston Renaissance School Order: In this order, we deny 50 appeals of decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that reduce or deny funding from the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (also known as the E-rate program) for various funding years on the grounds that the petitioners failed to submit their appeals either to the Commission or to USAC within 60 days as required by the Commission’s rules.
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7/27/2011
Beaver Area Memorial Library Order: In this order, we address 39 requests from petitioners seeking waivers of the FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline for funding years 2009-2011 under the E-rate program.
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7/27/2011
Achieve Career Preparatory Academy Order: In this order, we address 22 appeals of decisions by the Universal Administrative Company (USAC) denying funding to the petitioners due to certain clerical or ministerial errors on their FCC Form 471 applications for funding years 2004-2010 under the E-rate program.
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7/26/2011
North American Local, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on April 28, 2011 by North American Local, LLC. (North American), a commercial mobile radio services reseller, for forbearance from the requirement in section 214(e)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, that eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) provide service, at least in part, over their own facilities. North American seeks forbearance to enable it to be designated an ETC for the limited purposes of receiving universal service Lifeline support.
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7/26/2011
Plan of American Broadband and Telecommunication Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the proposed compliance plan filed by American Broadband & Telecommunications (American Broadband). American Broadband seeks permission from the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) to become a Lifeline-only eligible telecommunications carriers (ETC) and has pending a petition seeking forbearance from the requirement that an ETC provides service, at least in part, over its own facilities. In granting similar forbearance petitions in the past, the Commission has required carriers to submit for approval a proposed compliance plan demonstrating how the carrier intended to satisfy conditions imposed by the Commission’s grant of forbearance for Lifeline-only support. In this case, although American Broadband’s forbearance petition remains pending, American Broadband separately submitted a proposed compliance plan intended to satisfy conditions imposed by the Commission on other non-facilities based carriers when granting similar forbearance requests.
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7/18/2011
Richmond Connections, Inc. Public Notice: On July 7, 2011, Richmond Connections, Inc. (Richmond) requested a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules, which requires that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reimburse any monies due to a carrier from the universal service rural health care support mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier’s universal service support obligations.
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7/18/2011
AT&T Corp Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by AT&T Corp. (AT&T) seeking reversal of a Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) commitment adjustment recovery action against AT&T.
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7/18/2011
Cox Georgia Telecom, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on July 6, 2011 by Cox Georgia Telcom, LLC (Cox), pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules.
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7/12/2011
Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications Services Order: By this order, and pursuant to section 410(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Communications Act), we hereby fill a vacancy created by a previous departure from the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services.
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7/11/2011
E-Rate Deployed Ubiquitously 2011 Pilot Program Order: The Bureau provides a summary of the projects selected to participate in the Learning On-The-Go pilot program, the review process, and a list of required information to be included in the participants' reports during the trial period.
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7/7/2011
National Telecomunications Cooperative Association Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau finds that NTCA has not demonstrated that good cause warrants waiver of the rules to allow rate-of-return incumbent LECs to directly assign the costs associated with USF audits to the interstate jurisdiction.
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7/5/2011
I-Wireless, LLC Public Notice: WCB seeks comment on i-wireless, LLC.’s petition for ETC designation in Florida for the limited purpose of participating in the Lifeline program.
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6/29/2011
Clean Version of Proposed E-Rate Eligible Service List Public Notice: WCB Releases Clean Version of Proposed Draft Eligible Services List for Funding Year 2012.
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6/29/2011
NTCH, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on NTCH, Inc.’s petition for forbearance from the eligible telecommunications carrier service area requirement for the purpose of participating in the Lifeline program.
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6/27/2011
CAL Communications, Inc. Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau extends by 90 days the date by which the petition requesting forbearance filed by CAL Communications, Inc shall be deemed granted in the absence of a Commission decision that the petition fails to meet the standards for forbearance.
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6/24/2011
Draft Eligible Service List Public Notice: WCB Seeks Comment on Proposed Funding Year 2012 E-rate Eligible Services List. Comments are due on July 15, 2011, and reply comments are due on July 25, 2011.
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6/22/2011
Standing Rock Telecommunications Order: In this order, we designate Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc. (Standing Rock), a Tribally owned telecommunications carrier, as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) throughout the entire Standing Rock Sioux Reservation (Reservation), effective immediately.
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6/22/2011
Nexus Communications, Inc. Public Notice: WCB seeks comment on Nexus Communications, Inc.’s petition for limited ETC designation for the purpose of participating in the Lifeline and Link Up programs.
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6/22/2011
Saint Paul Public School Order: Saint Paul Public Schools (Saint Paul), Saint Paul, Minnesota, sought review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) concerning Saint Paul’s application for discounted services under the E-rate program for funding year 2003.
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6/22/2011
Central Islip Free Union School Distict Order: In this order, we address six appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying requests for funding under the E-rate program.
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6/21/2011
USAC Duplicate Process Guidance Letter: This letter provides guidance to USAC on the process it should follow in identifying and resolving duplicative Lifeline claims found through IDVs conducted in specific states or at any other time USAC becomes aware of duplicative claims for Lifeline.
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6/21/2011
Rural Health Care Permanent Grandfather Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: In this order, the Commission adopts an interim rule permitting health care providers that are located in a “rural area” under the definition used by the FCC prior to July 1, 2005, and that have received a funding commitment from the universal service rural health care program prior to July 1, 2005, to continue to be treated as if they are located in “rural” areas for purposes of determining eligibility for all universal service rural health care programs. In the NPRM, the Commission seeks comment on whether to make such “grandfathered” providers permanently eligible for discounted services under the rural health care program.
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6/21/2011
Lifeline and Link Up Report and Order: This order takes action to address potential waste in the universal service Lifeline program by adopting near-term rules aimed at ensuring that qualified low income consumers receive no more than a single Lifeline benefit.
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6/20/2011
Terracom, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on June 13, 2011, by TerraCom, Inc (TerraCom). TerraCom seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services to end-user customers in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
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6/9/2011
Ramirez Common School District Order: This order grants a waiver of section 54.503 of the Commission’s competitive bidding rules. USAC denied five of Ramirez’s funding requests on the ground that Ramirez violated the Commission’s competitive bidding requirements. Upon review of the record, we find that a waiver of section 54.503 of the Commission’s rules, which requires applicants to seek competitive bids for E-rate eligible products and services, is in the public interest.
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6/9/2011
PlatinumTel Communications, LLC Order: In this order, pursuant to section 10(c) of the Communications Act, we extend by 90 days the date by which the petition requesting forbearance filed by PlatinumTel Communications, LLC. shall be deemed granted in the absence of a Commission decision that the petition fails to meet the standards for forbearance under section 10(a) of the Act.
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6/9/2011
Tag Mobile, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on June 7, 2011, by TAG Mobile, LLC (TAG). TAG seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services to end-user customers in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
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6/8/2011
Lincoln Parish School Board Order: In this order, we dismiss as untimely three petitions for reconsideration of decisions by the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) or the Commission.
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6/7/2011
2011 PIA Procedure Approval Letter: WCB approves the E-rate funding year 2011 program integrity assurance FCC Form 471 review procedures subject to the substantive edits as provided in the confidential attachment.
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6/6/2011
Restated Line Count Letter: With this letter, the Commission provides explanation to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) concerning procedures to be followed when a competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) files revised line count reports with USAC.
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5/26/2011
Total Call Mobile, Inc. Public Notice: Total Call seeks forbearance from the facilities requirement to be designated an ETC for the limited purpose of Lifeline support.
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5/17/2011
Odyssey Charter School Order: In the attached E-rate order we resolve an appeal of a USAC decision concerning the school's discount calculation. In the order we grant Odyssey Charter’s request for review of a USAC decision and provide the schools with 60 days to provide additional documentation to support their requested discount level.
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5/17/2011
Gila Bend Unified School District 24 Order: Wireline Competition Bureau denies two appeals filed by Gila Bend Unified School District concerning its applications for funding under the E-rate program. The order finds that Gila failed to retain the required documentation that would demonstrate its compliance with the Commission’s competitive bidding rules.
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5/17/2011
Cascade School District 422 Order: Wireline Competition Bureau denies an appeal filed by Cascade School District concerning its application for funding under the E-rate program. The order finds that Cascade failed to demonstrate compliance with the Commission’s competitive bidding rules.
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5/16/2011
BCG, Inc and Reliable Telephone Company Order: In this order by TAPD, we deny requests filed by BCG, Inc. and Reliable Telephone Company, LLC. Each of the petitioners seeks waiver of the filing deadline for the 2009 FCC Form 499-A, and requests reversal of late filings fees for failure to timely file. We find that the petitioners have failed to demonstrate that good cause exists to justify waiver of the filing deadline. We direct USAC to collect any outstanding balance from BCG and Reliable Telephone, including any related late filing fees.
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5/16/2011
Cricket Forbearance 90 Day Extension: In this order, pursuant to section 10(c) of the Communications Act, we extend by 90 days the date by which the petition requesting forbearance filed by Cricket Communications, Inc. shall be deemed granted in the absence of a Commission decision that the petition fails to meet the standards for forbearance under section 10(a) of the Act.
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5/12/2011
Western Wireless Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau approves the requests of Western Wireless, LLC, successor by merger of Western Wireless Corporation d/b/a Verizon Wireless (Western Wireless), to relinquish its eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designations in the state of Wyoming and on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
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5/12/2011
AT&T Mobility Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau addresses a petition filed by AT&T pursuant to section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act in which AT&T requests transfer of the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation held by Western Wireless, LLC d/b/a Alltel for service offered to Tribal members on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the state of South Dakota and designation as an ETC. The Bureau grants in part AT&T Mobility’s petition, finding that AT&T meets the eligibility requirements of section 214(e)(1) of the Act and the Commission’s rules to be designated as an ETC.
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5/10/2011
Sacred Heart School Order: In this order, we reconsider a decision by the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) and grant an application for review filed by Sacred Heart School, Shawano, Wisconsin (Sacred Heart). Sacred Heart seeks review of the Bureau’s February 3, 2005 order affirming a decision made by the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to dismiss Sacred Heart’s appeal to USAC because it was postmarked more that 60 days after the date on an FCC Form 471 Outside of Window letter.
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5/9/2011
Universal Service Administrative Company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for guidance filed by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) on the proper classification of text messaging revenues for purposes of reporting and contributing to the Universal Service Fund. Specifically, USAC is seeking guidance on whether text messaging revenues should be reported as telecommunications revenue or non-telecommunications revenue.
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5/9/2011
The Rural Independent Competitive Alliance Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by the Rural Independent Competitive Alliance (RICA). RICA requests that the Commission clarify that rural competitive local exchange carriers are not obligated to report on the FCC Form 499-A any portion of their end user revenues that is not collected pursuant to rates explicitly designated as charges for the provision of interstate service. RICA also requests that the Commission clarify that end user revenues recovered pursuant to rates charged for the provision of telephone exchange service entirely within one state are intrastate revenues.
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5/6/2011
NTCH, Inc. Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau accepts NTCH’s request to withdraw its previously filed petition for forbearance from the Act’s requirement that eligible telecommunications carriers use their own facilities to offer supported services.
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5/4/2011
Separation Freeze Extension Report and Order: This Report and Order extends until June 30, 2012 the existing freeze of the Federal Communications Commission’s rules regarding jurisdictional separations. Specifically, the Commission extends the existing freeze of Part 36 category relationships and jurisdictional cost allocation factors.
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5/4/2011
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Order: Wireline Competition Bureau denies the petition of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services seeking a waiver of section 54.503 of the Commission’s competitive bidding rules to enable Juvenile Services to use an existing multi-year contract without filing an FCC Form 470 and initiating a new competitive bidding process under the E-rate program.
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5/4/2011
Verizon Wireless Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Verizon Wireless for reconsideration of the Bureau's April 1, 2011 letter to USAC to implement the company-specific cap on high-cost universal service support that the Commission imposed in October 2007 on Verizon Wireless’s predecessor in interest, Alltel Corporation.
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5/3/2011
Pilot Program Deadline Order: In response to various requests for extensions of time to meet certain Pilot Program deadlines, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) takes several actions to facilitate ongoing administration and completion of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program). First, subject to certain conditions, the Bureau extends by one year, to June 30, 2012, the deadline for participants in the Pilot Program to choose a vendor and request funding commitments from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Second, the Bureau extends by one year the invoice deadline for Pilot Program participants.
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5/2/2011
Budget Prepay, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on nine petitions filed by Budget PrePay, Inc. (Budget PrePay) on April 18, 2011. Budget PrePay seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services to end-user customers in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
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5/2/2011
Nexus Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a Nexus Communications, Inc. (Nexus) petition filed on April 5, 2011. Nexus seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services in the non-rural areas of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
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4/29/2011
Clear World Communications Corporation Order: In this order, we deny in part a request for review filed by Clear World Communications Corp. We find that USAC appropriately determined that: (1) on its FCC Forms 499-A for 2005 and 2006, Clear World incorrectly allocated all revenues from monthly recurring charges as international, and (2) once a portion of such revenues were properly allocated as interstate, Clear World no longer qualified for the limited international revenues exemption (LIRE).
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4/28/2011
Annual Lifeline Verification Surveys and Certifications Public Notice: This public notice serves as a reminder that an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in a state with its own state-based low-income program must submit a certification, signed by an officer of the company, to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) by August 31, 2011, and ensure that USAC receives the certification by that date, attesting that the ETC has complied with the state verification procedures.
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4/28/2011
Grande Communications Networks, Inc. Order: In this order, we address four separate petitions filed by Grande Communications Networks, Inc. (Grande), Advantage Cellular Systems, Inc. (Advantage), Decatur Telephone Co. (Decatur), and Range Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (Range) for waiver of high-cost universal service filings deadlines set forth in sections 54.307(c) or 54.904(d) of the Commission’s rules.
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4/28/2011
Allo Communications Order: In this Order, we deny seven separate petitions filed by Allo Communications (Allo), Bayland Communications, LLC (Bayland), Columbus Telephone Company (Columbus), Great Lakes of Iowa, Inc. (Great Lakes), HTC Communications, LLC (HTC), Pine Belt Cellular, Inc. (Pine Belt), and Windy City Cellular, LLC (Windy City) for waiver of high-cost universal service support filing deadlines set forth in sections 54.307, 54.314, 54.802, 54.809, 54.903(a), and 54.904(d) of the Commission’s rules.
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4/28/2011
NewComm Wireless Services Order: In this Order, we address a petition filed by NewComm Wireless Services, Inc. d/b/a MoviStar (NewComm) for a waiver of the universal service high-cost support filing deadline set forth in section 54.307(d) of the Commission rules.
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4/27/2011
Millennium 2000, Inc. Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on April 12, 2011 by Millennium 2000, Inc. (Millennium 2000), a mobile virtual network operator, for forbearance from the requirement in section 214(e)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, that eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) provide service, at least in part, over their own facilities.
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4/27/2011
Worldcall Interconnect, Inc. Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau dismisses without prejudice a petition filed by Worldcall Interconnect, Inc. to be designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier in the state of New York because Worldcall’s petition is procedurally defective. Specifically, Worldcall’s network improvement plan, which is required for ETC designation, depends explicitly on an erroneous interpretation of the Commission’s rules and requirements.
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4/27/2011
Lancaster School District Order: Wireline Competition Bureau grants Lancaster School District, Lancaster, PA, an extension of services delivery implementation deadline for non-recurring services under the E-rate program.
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4/26/2011
Network Enhanced Telecom, LLP Order on Reconsideration: Wireline Competition Bureau denies NetworkIP's petition for reconsideration of a prior Bureau order addressing NetworkIP's request for review of a contributor audit performed by the Universal Service Administrative Company. In so doing, the Bureau explained that the NetworkIP Order neither required NetworkIP to collect Form 499 Filer ID numbers from customers in order to treat them as resellers nor made any conclusions as to what NetworkIP calls "intermediate resellers."
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4/21/2011
Allendale County School District Order: Wireline Competition Bureau addresses 19 appeals of decisions by USAC denying requests for funding under the E-rate program. The order finds that seven petitioners did not violate the Commission's competitive bidding rules. In 12 other instances, the order finds that a waiver of the Commission’s rules is in the public interest.
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4/21/2011
Alternative Phone, Inc. Order: Wireline Competition Bureau dismisses as procedurally defective a request for review filed by Alternative Phone, Inc. Petitioner sought waiver of the 45 days deadline for filing revisions to Form 499-Q. The dismissal is without prejudice.
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4/18/2011
Kodiak Area Native Association Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health care universal service support for portions of certain funding requests for six KANA facilities.
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4/18/2011
Copper River Native Association Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Copper River Native Association (Copper River), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health care universal service support to portions of certain funding requests for four health clinics because Copper River violated the Commission’s competitive bidding rules.
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4/18/2011
Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. d/b/a Innovative Telephone Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. d/b/a Innovative Telephone for waiver of a filing deadline required by section 54.903(a) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of high-cost universal service support.
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4/18/2011
Winstream Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Windstream Communications, Inc. for waiver of a filing deadline required by section 54.903(a) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of high-cost universal service support.
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4/14/2011
Correction Deadline Order: In this order, the Commission extends the deadline for applicants under the E-rate program to submit corrections of clerical or ministerial errors on their FCC Forms 470 and FCC Form 471 applications until USAC issues a funding commitment decision letter to the applicant.
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4/13/2011
Albuquerque School District, et al Order: In this order, we grant 13 appeals and deny 19 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company concerning applications in various funding years for discounted services under the E-rate program. All of the appeals concern applicants denied funding by USAC for alleged violations of the Commission’s competitive bidding rules.
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4/13/2011
Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District Order: In this order, we grant two appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program because the entities at issue were ineligible for funding. Consistent with precedent and based on our review of the record, we find that both petitioners have provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the entities at issue were eligible for support.
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4/13/2011
Alpine Union School District Order: In this order, we grant six requests for review of decisions of the Universal Service Administrative Company denying petitioners funding under the E-rate program for funding years (FYs) 2003 to 2008. USAC denied petitioners funding on the grounds that they sought telecommunications services from providers that were not telecommunications carriers, in violation of E-rate rules.
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4/13/2011
Al-Noor School Order: In this order, we address 11 requests from petitioners seeking waivers of the FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline for funding years 2009 and 2010 under the E-rate program. Consistent with the Commission’s Academy of Math and Science Order, and based on our review of the record, we find that two petitioners have demonstrated that special circumstances exist to justify a waiver of the E-rate program’s FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline. We grant those requests for waiver and remand the underlying applications to the Universal Service Administrative Company for further action consistent with this order. We deny, however, nine requests for waiver because we find that the petitioners failed to present special circumstances to justify a waiver of the Commission’s rules.
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4/13/2011
Twiggs County School District Order: In this order, we deny the requests for review filed by Twiggs County School District and American Control Systems, Inc. of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the E-rate program for funding year 2003.We affirm USAC’s decision denying ACS’s request for an extension of the service delivery deadline for the requested recurring services.
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4/11/2011
USAC Board Appointments Letter: On April 11, 2011, Chairman Julius Genachowski named one member to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
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4/11/2011
USAC Board Appointments Public Notice: On April 11, 2011, Chairman Julius Genachowski named one member to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
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4/8/2011
Allied Wireless Communications Corporation Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau denies petitions for waiver of high-cost universal service filing deadlines.
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4/7/2011
NE Colorado Cellular, Inc. D/B/A Viaero Wireless Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau provides notice that it is initiating a proceeding to consider a petition filed by NE Colorado Cellular, Inc. d/b/a Viaero Wireless, pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules.
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4/7/2011
American Broadband & Telecommunication Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on February 25, 2011, by American Broadband & Telecommunications for forbearance from the requirement that eligible telecommunications carriers provide service, at least in part, over their own facilities.
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4/7/2011
U.S. Satellite Corporation Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by U.S. Satellite Corporation requesting that the Commission issue a declaratory ruling clarifying that revenues derived from services USSC provides to its affiliate are excluded from its universal service fund contribution base.
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4/7/2011
Guidance to USAC Regarding ETC Advertisement: In this letter, the Bureau responds to a request for guidance from the Universal Service Administrative Company regarding eligible telecommunications carriers’ (ETCs’) obligation to advertise supported services.
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4/1/2011
ATT/Alltel Company Specific Cap USAC Guidance Letter: In this letter, the Bureau responds to a request for guidance from the Universal Service Administrative Company regarding the implementation of caps on universal service support for AT&T and ALLTEL. The letter explains that USAC should implement the caps for the time each was in effect.
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3/30/2011
Universal Service Fund/Intercarrier Compensation Reform Workshop Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau announces the second in a series of workshops on universal service and intercarrier compensation reform. This workshop, to be held April 27, 2011, in Washington D.C., will focus on universal service reform proposals, including Phase One of the Connect America Fund.
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3/30/2011
Line Up, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the petition of Line-Up, LLC for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e)(6) of the Act.
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3/30/2011
NTUA Wireless, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the petition of NTUA Wireless, LLC for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e)(6) of the Act.
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3/30/2011
Little Flower School Order: In this order, we grant an appeal filed by Little Flower School (Little Flower) of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reducing a discount sought in an application for services under the E-rate program for funding year 2006.
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3/29/2011
Manitowoc Public Utilities Order: In this order, we deny a request filed by Manitowoc Public Utilities (Manitowoc).
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3/29/2011
Ringsted Communications Company Order: In this order, we grant a request by Ringsted Communications Company (Ringsted) for a waiver of a deadline set forth in section 54.307(c) of the Commission’s rules for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) to file line count data with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to receive certain high-cost universal service support.
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3/29/2011
F&B Communicaitons, Inc. f/k/a Farmers' and Business Men's Telphone Company Order: In this order, we grant a request by F&B Communications, Inc. f/k/a Farmers’ and Business Men’s Telephone Company (F&B Communications) for a waiver of section 54.802(a) of the Commission’s rules, which sets forth deadlines for eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) providing service within an area served by a price cap local exchange carrier (LEC) to file line count data on a quarterly basis with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to receive certain high-cost universal service support.
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3/24/2011
Airvoice Wireless Withdrawal Order: In this order the Bureau grants Airvoice’s request to withdraw its forbearance petition that sought forbearance from section 214(e)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, in order to seek designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for the sole purpose of participating in the universal service fund Lifeline program.
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3/22/2011
USAC Board Nomination Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks nominations for the following board member position on the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The position is currently vacant.
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3/22/2011
Barrow County School District Order: In this order, the Bureau grants six appeals of decisions by USAC that reduce or deny funding from the E-rate program for various funding years. USAC reduced or denied funding based on the service start date information provided on the FCC Form 486 submitted by the applicants. The applicants affected by the USAC decisions state that they submitted the incorrect service start date when filing FCC Forms 486. As WCB found in Glendale Unified School District, minor mistakes such as this do not warrant the complete rejection of these applications given that the applicants made a procedural error and did not violate a Commission rule. Therefore, we find good cause to grant the appeals and remand the underlying applications to USAC for further action consistent with this order.
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3/21/2011
California Telehealth Network Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the California Telehealth Network (CTN) and the Palmetto State Providers Network (PSPN) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program).
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3/21/2011
Washington RSA No. 8 Limited Partnership Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Washington RSA No. 8 Limited Partnership; Eastern Sub-RSA Limited Partnership d/b/a Inland Cellular for waiver of the March, 30 2010 quarterly filing deadlines of the Commission’s Rules.
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3/16/2011
Cellular South Licenses, Inc. and United States Cellular Corp. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a joint petition filed by Cellular South Licenses, Inc. and United States Cellular Corporation requesting that the Commission reconsider its decision amending a rule established by the Interim Cap Order to reclaim high-cost universal service support surrendered by a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) when it relinquishes ETC status in a particular state.
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3/16/2011
NTCH, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by NTCH, Inc. on behalf of itself and its affiliate WGH Communications, Inc. (collectively, NTCH).
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3/16/2011
Challis Joint School District #181 Order: In this order, we deny the request for review by Challis Joint School District #181 (Challis) of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) concerning applications for discounted services under the E-rate program.
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3/15/2011
Dorial Telecom LLC Order: In this order, we dismiss as procedurally defective Dorial Telecom, LLC (Dorial)’s request for review. In its request, Dorial states that it incorrectly reported revenues on its quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets for the first and second quarters of 2009. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) billed Dorial for universal service fund contributions based on the incorrectly reported amounts. Dorial refused to pay the invoices, and was subsequently assessed interest on the outstanding payments.In the request for review, Dorial asks the Commission to cancel this interest.
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3/11/2011
Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (R-AHEC) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program).
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3/10/2011
USF/ICC Reform Public Notice: On February 9, 2011, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on proposals to fundamentally modernize the Commission’s universal service fund and intercarrier compensation system.
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3/9/2011
E-Rate Deployed Ubiquitously (EDU) 2011 Selected Applications Public Notice: In this Public Notice, the Bureau announces it selection of 20 projects for the E-rate Deployed Ubiquitously (EDU) 2011 wireless pilot program. These projects will support mobile access to the Internet in order to improve educational opportunities for students or to help library patrons find and apply for jobs. The initiatives range from off-campus access to e-textbooks for students; to connectivity for netbooks for students living in remote, isolated areas; to access to flexible, online education programs for home-bound students unable to attend classes because of medical challenges.
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3/8/2011
OneLink Wireless, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by OneLink Wireless, Inc. (OneLink) seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services to end-user customers in Alabama, New York, North Carolina and Virginia.
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3/7/2011
Chicago Public Schools Order: In this order, we grant six requests for review of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying applications for discounted services under the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism, also known as the E-rate program, for funding years 2002, 2004, and 2005.
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3/7/2011
Cellular Properties, Inc Order: In this order, the Bureau conditionally grants Cellular Properties’ request to redefine a rural telephone company’s service area in Illinois. In the item we consent to the Illinois Commerce Commission’s proposed service area designation, subject to the condition that Wabash Telephone disaggregate and target the universal service high-cost support it receives. We therefore refer to the Illinois Commission the issue of whether Wabash Telephone should be permitted or required to disaggregate and target the support it receives.
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3/7/2011
USAC Funding Policy Guidance Public Notice: On March 1, 2011, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) requested guidance from the Federal Communications Commission on certain issues related to universal service fund contributor reseller processes.
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3/4/2011
Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization NPRM: This item takes steps to comprehensively reform and modernize the Lifeline/Link Up program for 21st century communications needs building on recommendations of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, the Government Accountability Office, and the National Broadband Plan. The reforms will set the program on a firmer footing, establishing greater accountability and ensuring that millions of low-income Americans continue to receive affordable phone service while using savings from reforms to fund pilot programs for broadband.
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3/1/2011
Form 499-A Public Notice: On March 1, 2011, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) released the revised annual Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-A) and accompanying instructions. The Bureau revised the Form and instructions to make the process of preparing Form 499 more user-friendly for filers.
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2/25/2011
Partner Communications Cooperative Memorandum Opinion and Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies Partner Communications Cooperative Forbearance Petition.
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2/22/2011
Five Year Invoicing Deadline Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on numerous requests for waiver of the Commission’s rules regarding the deadline to file invoices pursuant to the Rural Health Care Pilot Program.
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2/18/2011
MiCTA Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by MiCTA for waiver of the Rural Health Care Program rules.
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2/18/2011
Funds For Learning, LLC. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition by Funds For Learning, LLC. to reject the Universal Service Administrative Company's priority two discount threshold recommendation for the schools and libraries program for funding year 2010.
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2/18/2011
Blitz Communications, Inc. Order: In this order, A short-form grant of appeals where applicants mistakenly assumed FCC Form 500 extended their services implementation deadline.
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2/18/2011
Bridgeport School District Order: In this order, a short form grant of separate appeals from 3 petitioners giving them another chance to show that they met the E-rate program requirement of having the necessary resources to effectively use the E-rate services they sought.
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2/18/2011
Barberton City School District Order: In this order, we denying Barberton City School District’s request for review. We find that USAC correctly applied the rules for the alternative discount mechanisms to determine the applicant's discount level.
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2/16/2011
Zefcom, LLC D/B/A Telispire PCS Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for forbearance filed on January 13, 2011, by Zefcom, LLC d/b/a Telispire PCS (Telispire) requesting that the Commission forbear from the requirement that eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) provide service, at least in part, over their own facilities.
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2/15/2011
Instruction Letter to USAC: With this letter, we direct the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to take steps to implement the recommendations in the Government Accountability Office Report entitled Telecommunications: FCC’s Performance Management Weaknesses Could Jeopardize Proposed Reforms of the Rural Health Care Program.
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2/10/2011
Anne Boyle Joint Board Order: The Honorable Anne C. Boyle, Commissioner, Nebraska Public Service Commission, Appointed to Serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
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2/10/2011
Joint Board USF/ICC Workshop Public Notice: On February 17, 2011, State Members of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) will hold a workshop to assist in the preparation of their joint comments in response to the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on modernizing and streamlining its universal service and intercarrier compensation policies adopted at the Commission’s February 8, 2011 Open Meeting.
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2/10/2011
Soutwest Telehealth Access Grid Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Southwest Telehealth Access Grid (SWTAG) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program).
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2/10/2011
NTCH, Inc. Order: In this order, pursuant to section 10(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), we extend by 90 days the date by which the petition requesting forbearance filed by NTCH, Inc. (NTCH) shall be deemed granted in the absence of a Commission decision that the petition fails to meet the standards for forbearance under section 10(a) of the Act.
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2/9/2011
Connect America Fund NPRM: In this NPRM, the Commission proposes to transform the high-cost portion of the Universal Service Fund to support broadband, as well as to reform the intercarrier compensation system.
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2/8/2011
Interim Cap Adjustment Letter: Wireline Competition Bureau Instructs the Universal Service Administrative Company to Implement the Revised Interim Cap Amount for Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers.
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2/8/2011
Data Practice NPRM: In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, we continue the Commission’s examination of its data practices through the Data Innovation Initiative, including the identification of data collections that can be eliminated without reducing the effectiveness of our decision-making.
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2/8/2011
Broadband and Voice Data Streamlining and Modernization NPRM: In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), we seek comment on whether and how to reform the Form 477 data program to improve the Commission’s ability to carry out its statutory duties, while streamlining and minimizing the overall costs of the program, including the burdens imposed on service providers.
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2/8/2011
Cintex Wireless, LLC Order: On November 1, 2010, Cintex Wireless, LLC (Cintex) filed the above-captioned petition for forbearance. On January 5, 2011, Cintex submitted a request to withdraw that petition. We grant the request to withdraw and dismiss the petition.
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2/4/2011
Beaver Creek Cooperative Telephone Company Order: In this order, we grant a joint petition of Beaver Creek Cooperative Telephone Company (Beaver Creek) and Qwest Corporation (Qwest) for a waiver of the study area boundary freeze codified in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the Commission’s rules. The study area waiver will permit Qwest to remove a territory from its Oregon study area and permit Beaver Creek to add that same territory to its existing Oregon study area.
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1/28/2011
Accipiter Communications, Inc. Public Notice: WCB Seeks Comment on Accipiter Communications Application for Review of Bureau Decision to Deny a Waiver of The Commission’s Study Area Boundary Freeze.
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1/28/2011
Deadline Extension Public Notice: WCB Provides Guidance on Procedural Treatment of Additional Requests for Extension of the June 30, 2011 Deadline for Requesting Funding Commitments under the Universal Service Rural Health Care Pilot Program.
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1/25/2011
Wildflower Telecommunications, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Wildflower telecommunications, LLC for waiver of the December, 31 2010 and December, 30 2010 quarterly filing deadlines of the Commission’s Rules.
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1/25/2011
Puerto Rico Telephone Company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by the Puerto RicoTelephone Company regarding a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), concerning the performance audit conducted by KPMG LLP (KPMG) for the Universal Service Fund disbursements made to the company during the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2008.
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1/25/2011
Dialtoneservices, L.P. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by DialToneServices, L.P. for waiver of the December, 30 2010 filing deadlines of the Commission’s Rules.
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1/21/2011
WCB Guidance Letter: The Wireline Competition Bureau provides guidance to USAC on duplicate claims for Lifeline support.
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1/19/2011
Health Information Exchange of Montana (HIEM) Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Health Information Exchange of Montana (HIEM) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program).
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1/19/2011
Puerto Rico Telephone Company Public Notice: The The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by the Puerto Rico Telephone Company of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) concerning an audit of Puerto Rico Telephone Company’s compliance with federal universal service high-cost program requirements.
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1/19/2011
Consolidated Communications of Fort Bend Company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Consolidated Communications of Fort Bend Company, Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company, and Consolidated Communications of Texas of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company concerning an audit of those companies’ compliance with federal universal service high-cost program requirements.
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1/19/2011
Fulton Telephone company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Fulton Telephone Company for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company concerning an audit of Fulton Telephone Company’s compliance with federal universal service high-cost program requirements.
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1/19/2011
Viaero Wireless Redefinition Request Public Notice: Viaero seeks agreement with a redefinition proposed by the Kansas Commission.
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1/14/2011
Sprint Nextel Relinquishment Order: In this order we grant Sprint’s request to relinquish their ETC designations in various states.
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1/14/2011
Item 21 Attachment Order: In this order, we clarify the treatment of attachments to applications for the E-rate program (formally known as the schools and libraries universal support program.
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1/14/2011
Camden City Public Schools Order: In this order, we grant three requests for waiver by school districts seeking approval to use the E-rate discounts committed for equipment or services in specified schools within their districts at other eligible schools.
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1/14/2011
Bayless Intermediate School Order: In this order, we grant an appeal filed by Bayless Intermediate School (Bayless) of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying its funding request for discounts under the E-rate program (more formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program). We find that Bayless complied with the E-rate program’s competitive bidding rules.
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1/14/2011
Bryan Independent School District Order: In this order, we grant an appeal filed by Bryan Independent School District (Bryan) of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying Bryan discounts under the E-rate program (more formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program).
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1/14/2011
Youthbuild Columbus Community School Order: In this order, we grant an appeal filed by Youthbuild Columbus Community School (Youthbuild) of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) rescinding funding already committed to Youthbuild under the E-rate program (more formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program).
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1/14/2011
CML Communications LLC Order: In this order, we dismiss as procedurally defective a request for review filed by CML Communications LLC (CML) on November 1, 2010. CML states it failed to file its annual Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet, and now seeks review and waiver of the associated late fees. In the alternative, CML asks us to waive at least a portion of the late fees and allow it to pay the remaining balance over time.
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1/14/2011
deltathree, Inc. Order: In this order, we grant a request for review by deltathree, Inc. (deltathree). On October 27, 2009, deltathree filed revised versions of several quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-Q) with (USAC). Although deltathree filed these revisions more than 45 days after the original deadline for each FCC Form 499-Q, USAC accepted the revisions. In its request, deltathree states that USAC accepted the revisions because they were upward revisions (i.e., they increased deltathree’s contribution obligation). We conclude that USAC erred in accepting these late-filed revisions, and accordingly USAC should not have re-calculated deltathree’s universal service contribution obligations based on these late-filed revisions.
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1/13/2011
Dixie Net Communications, Inc. Order: In this order, we grant a request by Dixie Net Communications, Inc. (Dixie Net) for a waiver of section 54.307(c) of the Commission’s rules, which sets forth deadlines for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) to file line count data with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to receive certain high-cost universal service support.
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1/13/2011
Warren Village School Order: In this order, we grant a request for review filed by Warren Village School (Warren) of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying funding under the E-rate program (more formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program) for funding year 2003.
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1/12/2011
Upper Peninsula Telephone Company and Michigan Central Broadband Company, LLC Public Notice: On December 29, 2010, Upper Peninsula Telephone Company (Upper Peninsula) and Michigan Central Broadband Company, LLC (Michigan Central) filed a joint petition for waiver of the study area boundary freeze codified in part 36 of the Commission’s rules. The Commission froze all study area boundaries effective November 15, 1984 to prevent incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) from establishing separate study areas made up only of high-cost exchanges to maximize their receipt of high-cost universal service support.
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1/12/2011
Cedar-Wapsie Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Cedar-Wapsie Communications, Inc. for waiver of the filing deadline required by section 54.904(d) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of universal service high-cost support. Section 54.904(d) sets forth the deadline for rate-of-return carriers and competitive eligible telecommunications carriers serving rate-of-return service areas to file an annual certification with the Universal Service Administrative Company and the Commission to receive Interstate Common Line Support.
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1/11/2011
TracFone Wireless, Inc. Order: This order denies a petition for waiver filed by TracFone seeking to modify the compliance plan condition that it require each of its Lifeline customers to self-certify annually that they are the head of their household and receive Lifeline-supported service only from TracFone.
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1/10/2011
Letter to USAC: Letter from Sharon Gillett to Brian L. Talbott, Chairman - Board of Directors, Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) announcing that Chairman Julius Genachowski named six members to the USAC Board of Directors.
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1/10/2011
USAC Board Nominations Public Notice: Chairman Genachowski Names Six Members to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
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1/6/2011
Boomerang Wireless, LLC Public Notice: Boomerang Wireless, LLC is seeking designation as an ETC for the limited purpose of participating in the universal service low-income Lifeline program.
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1/6/2011
XO Communication Services, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by XO Communication Services, Inc. (XO) on December 29, 2010.
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1/6/2011
2010 E-Rate Program and Broadband Usage Survey Release: WCB Releases Summary of 2010 E-Rate Program and Broadband Usage Survey.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Survey Summary: Word Acrobat

12/29/2010
Virgin Mobile USA, LP Order: WCB Conditionally Grants Virgin Mobile ETC Designation in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, and the District of Columbia.
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12/29/2010
Academia Bautista de Puerto Nuevo Order: In this order, we grant 29 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that reduce or deny funding from the schools and libraries universal service support program for various funding years because USAC found that the applicants failed to respond to USAC’s requests for additional information within the USAC-specified time frame. Consistent with the Commission’s Alpaugh Unified School District Order, and based on our review of the record, we find that complete rejection of these applications is not warranted, given that the applicants missed a USAC procedural deadline and did not violate a Commission rule.
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12/29/2010
Al-Ishan Academy Order: In this order, we grant 50 appeals from petitioners seeking to reverse the decisions of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which found that technology plan rules for the E-rate program had been violated.
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12/28/2010
Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on Oregon Health Network Request Public Notice : Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Oregon Health Network request for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program.
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12/20/2010
Baker Hall School Order: In this order, we grant seven appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying funding from the schools and libraries universal service support program (also known as the E-rate program) for various funding years on the grounds that petitioners sought cancellation of their funding requests.
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12/20/2010
Average Schedule Order: In this order, the Commission adopts NECA's average schedule loop formula and USAC's universal service support formula.
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12/16/2010
Cross Wireless, LLC d/b/a Sprocket Wireless Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Cross Wireless, LLC d/b/a Sprocket Wireless for waiver of the filing deadlines required by section 54.307(c) of the Commission’s rules.
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12/16/2010
American Public Communicaitons Council Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for interim relief and a petition for rulemaking filed on December 6, 2010, by American Public Communications Council (APCC).
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12/16/2010
Ann Arbor Public School Order: In this order, we grant 38 appeals of decisions of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) from schools and libraries seeking to correct ministerial or clerical errors on their FCC Forms 470 and 471 and other related forms for funding under the E-rate program (formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program).
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12/16/2010
Academy St. Benedict Order: In this order, we grant 45 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that reduce or deny funding from the schools and libraries universal service support program (also known as the E-rate program) for various funding years because USAC found that the applicants failed to timely submit FCC Forms 486.
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12/15/2010
Wireline Competition Bureau Provides Guidance on E-rate Sixth Report and Order Public Notice: Guidance on Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Program Sixth Report and Order Public Notice: On September 28, 2010, the Commission released the Sixth Report and Order. To provide further guidance to E-rate program participants, the Bureau provides effective dates for each of the adopted proposals in the Sixth Report and Order and a list of frequently asked questions regarding the rules adopted in the Sixth Report and Order.
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12/15/2010
Wireline Competition Bureau Provides Guidance on E-rate Basic Maintenance and Gift Rules Order: The clarification order addresses questions received by the Bureau regarding the Commission’s ruling on the eligibility of basic maintenance and the newly codified E-rate program gift rules.
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12/13/2010
American Broadband & Telecommunications Emergency Request Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by American Broadband & Telecommunications (American Broadband). American Broadband seeks emergency review and reversal of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company rejecting American Broadband’s revised FCC Form 499-Q and imposing interest and penalties pending appeal of the decision.
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12/9/2010
Michigan Public Health Institute Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the Michigan Public Health Institute’s request for waiver of the five-year invoicing period under the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program.
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12/8/2010
Tracfone Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on December 1, 2010, by TracFone Wireless, Inc. (TracFone) for a declaratory ruling.
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12/8/2010
Airvoice Wireless, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on December 1, 2010, by AirVoice Wireless, LLC (AirVoice) for forbearance from the requirement that eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) provide service, at least in part, over their own facilities.
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12/6/2010
Green Bay Area Public School District Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau granted an appeal of a USAC decision filed by Green Bay Area Public School District after finding that Green Bay did not violate the Commission's competitive bidding requirements.
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12/6/2010
Business Technologies, Inc. Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau granted 8 appeals following the rationale of our 2007 Aiken Order. Permits 5 petitioners to remove ineligible services from their applications and receive funding for at least their eligible P1 services, and 3 other petitioners to separate priority 1 and 2 services, so that they can receive funding for the P1 services.
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12/6/2010
Explore Knowledge Academy Charter School Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau granted three requests for review of USAC decisions that reduced each applicant’s discounts for funding years 2005 and 2006. Specifically, USAC reduced the applicants’ funding on the ground that the applicants’ requested discount levels were not supported by sufficient documentation. Consistent with precedent, this order directs USAC to provide applicants with a limited 15-day opportunity to file additional documentation to support their requested discount levels.
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12/6/2010
Davidson County Schools Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau denied a petition for reconsideration on the grounds that it was filed late with the Commission.
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12/6/2010
Achieve Telecom Network of MA, LLC Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau granted an appeal filed by Achieve Telecom on behalf of Somerville School District in Somerville, Massachusetts. Based on precedent in the Albert Lea Order, we find that Somerville did not violate the program's competitive bidding rules by failing to note on the FCC Form 470 that it was seeking a multiyear contract with voluntary contract extensions.
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12/6/2010
Indiana Telehealth Network Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by the Indiana Telehealth Network for an extension of the June 30, 2011 deadline for participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program to select a vendor and request funding commitment letters from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
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12/2/2010
Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. Order: In this order, the Commission grants a request from Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. (GRTI), a Tribally-owned incumbent local exchange company serving the Gila River Indian Community, to waive sections 36.3, 36.123-126, 36.152-157, and 36.372-382 of the Commission’s rules to unfreeze GRTI's category relationships.
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12/2/2010
East Ascension Telephone Company LLC and EATELCORP, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on an appeal filed by the East Ascension Telephone Company LLC and EATELCORP, INC. of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company concerning a performance audit conducted by KPMG LLP regarding universal service fund disbursements made to EATEL during the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2007.
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11/23/2010
Fund for Learning Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on petition for clarification regarding the definition of "consultant" and confidentiality of consultant information required by FCC FORMS 470 AND 471.
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11/23/2010
California Waiver Petition Order: In this order, The Wireline Competition Bureau granted a waiver to the California State Department of Technology Services relating to a clerical error on the FCC Form 470.
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11/23/2010
Associated Marine Institutes Order: In this order, The Wireline Competition Bureau granted 26 appeals that sought extension of the deadline for delivery of non-recurring services under the E-rate program.
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11/23/2010
Argos Public Library Order: In this order, The Wireline Competition Bureau released an order resolving 52 appeals from E-rate applicants that missed the FCC Form 471 filing window deadline.
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11/19/2010
Forms 470 and 471 Revisions Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announces that revised FCC Forms 470 and 471 and their accompanying instructions have been approved for use by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
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11/9/2010
Allied Wireless Communications Corporation Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the Allied Wireless Communication Corporation for waiver of the Commission's filing deadline rules.
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11/9/2010
Ringsted Communications Company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Ringsted Communications Company for waiver of the March 30, 2010 filing deadlines of the Commission’s Rules.
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11/8/2010
E-rate Deployed Ubiquitously 2011 Pilot Program Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau announces the application date for the E-rate deployed ubiquitously 2011 pilot program.
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11/5/2010
Declaratory Ruling: The Commission rules, on a prospective basis, that states may extend their universal service contribution requirements to future intrastate revenues of nomadic interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol service providers, so long as a state’s particular requirements do not conflict with federal law or policies.
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11/4/10
Federal-State Joint Board Recommended Decision: The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service agrees that universal service programs need to better serve low-income participants and support broadband service.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Recommended Decision: Word | Acrobat
FCC Commissioner Clyburn (Joint Board Chair): Word | Acrobat
FCC Commissioner Copps: Word | Acrobat
FCC Commissioner Baker: Word | Acrobat
Chairman Ray Baum: Word | Acrobat
Commissioner Larry S. Landis: Word | Acrobat
Board Member John D. Burke: Word | Acrobat
Chairman James H. Cawley: Word | Acrobat
Senior Assistant Attorney General Simon Ffitch: Word | Acrobat

11/4/2010
Conexions, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the compliance plan filed by Conexions, LLC d/b/a Conexion Wireless (Conexions). This compliance plan is intended to satisfy the conditions imposed by the Commission when it granted Conexions limited forbearance from the requirement that carriers provide services, at least in part, over their own facilities in order to be designated an eligible telecommunications carrier.
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11/2/2010
Partner Communications Cooperative Order: The Bureau extends from December 2, 2010, to March 2, 2011, the statutory deadline for acting on a petition filed by Partner Communications Cooperative requesting that the Commission forbear from applying the requirements of sections 54.305(b) and (d) of the Commission's rules.
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11/1/2010
Syringa Wireless, LLC Order: In this order, the Bureau grants a request by Syringa Wireless, LLC (Syringa) for a waiver of the universal service high-cost filing deadline set forth in sections 54.307(c) of the Commission’s rules. We conclude that a waiver is warranted because Syringa promptly filed the required data and states that it has revised its internal measures to ensure that it meet future deadlines.
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11/1/2010
The Georgia RSA #8 Partnership Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the Georgia RSA #8 Partnership for waiver of the filing deadlines required by the Commission's rules for universal service high-cost support.
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11/1/2010
Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. d/b/a Innovative Telephone Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. d/b/a Innovative Telephone Inc. for review of USAC's management response to the independent auditor's report that evaluated the company's compliance with the requirements of the high-cost universal service program from July 1, 2007 thru June 30, 200 8 .Sections:54.719(c), 54.721 and 54.722 of the Commission’s Rules (petition filed Oct. 21, 2010).
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10/28/2010
Cornerstones of Care Order: In this order, we address 10 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) denying requests for funding under the E-rate program (more formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program) on the ground that the consortia leaders did not provide sufficient evidence of their authority to represent the consortium members.
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Erratum (11/4/10): Word | Acrobat

10/20/2010
IP Telcom, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on IP Telcom’s request that the Commission direct USAC to waive the revision deadline and permit IP Telcom to amend its 2008 and 2009 FCC Forms 499-A.
Word PDF

10/20/2010
ReCellular, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by ReCellular, Inc. for forbearance from the requirement that eligible telecommunications carriers provide service, at least in part, over their own facilities.
Word PDF

10/19/2010
Network Enhanced Telecom, LLP Order: In this order, the Bureau grants in part a request filed by Enhanced Network Telecom, LLP (NetworkIP) for review of a 2008 contributor audit decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The Bureau finds that NetworkIP’s calling card platform service is not a prepaid calling card service as contemplated by our orders, rules, and requirements. The order remands to USAC the issue of whether NetworkIP correctly classified certain revenues as carrier’s carrier revenues and provides guidance to USAC on how it should re-evaluate its audit conclusions regarding the reclassification of revenues associated with NetworkIP’s non-contributing customers.
Word PDF

10/18/2010
Abbeville County School District Order: In this order, the Bureau grants three requests from petitioners seeking to transfer funding commitments granted under the E-rate program. USAC denied petitioners’ requests to transfer E-rate funding commitments from schools that had been closed to other schools within the district. USAC found that the asset transfers did not fit into either category of transfers specifically permitted under the Commission’s rules. We find that these transfers are permitted under the E-rate program rules.
Word PDF

10/15/2010
Integrity Communications, LTD Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on Integrity Communications, Inc. application for review of the Bureau's Integrity Order on Reconsideration in which the Bureau denied Integrity’s request for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the Commission’s schools and libraries universal service support program.
Word PDF

10/15/2010
Comments Sought on F&B Communications, Inc. f/k/a Farmers' and Business Men's Telephone Company Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by F&B Communications, Inc. f/k/a Farmers’ and Business Men’s Telephone Company for a waiver of the filing deadline required by section 54.802(a) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of universal service high-cost support.
Word PDF

10/15/2010
Comments Sought on Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc. Public Notice: Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc. (Standing Rock), a commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) provider owned and operated by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, was recently designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for certain wire centers within its licensed service area within the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.
Word PDF

10/13/2010
Comments Sought on the Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. d/b/a Innovative Telephone Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. d/b/a Innovative Telephone for review of the Universal Service Administrative Company’s decision regarding the treatment of a deferred tax asset.
Word PDF

10/13/2010
Comments Sought on the 2011 Modifications of Average Schedul Company Public Notice: On August 24, 2010, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. filed its 2011 Modification of Average Schedule Universal Service High-Cost Loop Support Formula. On September 30, 2010, the Universal Service Administrative Company filed its 2011 Average Schedule Company Local Switching Support Formula. The proposed formulas, if approved, would be scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2011, and remain in effect through December 31, 2011. The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the proposed formulas.
Word PDF

10/12/2010
SouthernLINC Public Notice: On September 3, 2010, the Commission released the Corr Wireless Order, which addressed a petition requesting review of a Universal Service Administrative Company decision. On September 30, 2010, SouthernLINC filed a petition for reconsideration of the Corr Wireless Order, and on October 4, 2010, Allied Wireless Communications, Inc., et al., did as well. Pursuant to section 1.106 of the Commission’s rules, oppositions to the SouthernLINC petition would be due on October 12, 2010, while oppositions to the Allied petition would be due on October 14, 2010.
Word PDF

10/8/2010
Manitowoc Public Utilities Public Notice: WCB seeks comment on Manitowoc Public Utilities (Manitowoc) request for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC assessed late fees for Manitowoc’s late filing of its 2010 FCC Form 499-A. Interested parties may file comments on or before November 9, 2010, and reply comments on or before November 24, 2010.
Word PDF

10/1/2010
Conexion Wireless Order: In this order, we grant in part and deny in part a petition for forbearance filed by Conexions, LLC d/b/a Conexion Wireless (Conexions).Conexions, a wireless reseller, requested that the Commission forbear from the requirement that carriers designated as eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) for purposes of federal universal service support provide services, at least in part, over their own facilities.
Word PDF

10/1/2010
Comments Sought on Greatcall, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on nine petitions filed on September 22, 2010, by GreatCall, Inc. (GreatCall).
Word PDF

9/28/10
FCC Enables High-Speed, Affordable Broadband for Schools and Libraries.
News Release (9/23/10): Word | Acrobat
Order: Acrobat
Erratum (11/8/10): Word | Acrobat
Genachowski Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Clyburn Statement: Word | Acrobat
Baker Statement: Word | Acrobat
E-Rate Community Use Success Story Submission Form

9/27/2010
WCB Nominations Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks nominations for seven board member positions on the USAC Board of Directors.
Word PDF

9/24/2010
Comments Sought on Compass Global, Inc. Public Notice: On September 13, 2010, Compass Global, Inc. (Compass Global) filed an application for review of a decision of the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau). In that decision, the Bureau upheld a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company that Compass Global had not timely filed revisions to its 2005 and 2006 FCC Forms 499-A.
Word PDF

9/24/2010
Comments Sought on Airnex Communications, Inc. Public Notice: On September 8, 2010, Airnex Communications, Inc. (Airnex) filed a petition for reconsideration of a decision of the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau).In that decision, the Bureau held that Airnex had not demonstrated good cause for submitting late-filed revisions to its 1999 FCC Form 457 and 2000-2002 FCC Forms 499-A.
Word PDF

9/24/2010
Comments Sought on AT&T Inc. Public Notice: On September 13, 2010, AT&T Inc. (AT&T) filed an application for review of a decision of the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau). In that decision, the Bureau upheld a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company that AT&T’s wholly-owned subsidiaries Southwestern Bell Telephone, L.P. and Centennial Communications Corp. had not timely filed revisions to their respective 2005 FCC Forms 499-A, and denied AT&T’s request for waiver of the filing deadline.
Word PDF

9/21/2010
WCB Comments Deadline Public Notice: On September 3, 2010, the Commission released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on permanently amending the Commission’s rules to facilitate efficient use of reclaimed excess high-cost universal service support, and on a proposal to modify the Commission’s rules to reclaim legacy support surrendered by a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) when it relinquishes ETC status in a particular state.
Word PDF

9/20/2010
Comments Sought on Plan of Midwestern Telecom, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the compliance plan filed by Midwestern Telecom, Inc. (Midwestern Telecom). This compliance plan is intended to satisfy the conditions imposed by the Commission when it granted Midwestern Telecom limited forbearance from the requirement that carriers provide services, at least in part, over their own facilities in order to be designated an eligible telecommunications carrier.
Word PDF

9/17/2010
Comments Sought on Dixie Net Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Dixie Net Communications, Inc. for a waiver of the filing deadline required by section 54.307(c) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of universal service high-cost support.
Word PDF

9/13/2010
Alexicon Telecommunications Order: In this order, we deny a petition filed by Alexicon Telecommunications Consulting. Alexicon requests a change in the reporting deadline for the FCC Form 499-A.
Word PDF

9/13/2010
Portland Area Indian Health Service Order: In this order, we grant a request for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company, denying funding for discounted services under the Rural Health Care universal service support mechanism to the Portland Area Indian Health Service.
Word PDF

9/2/2010
Comment Sought on Reliable Telephone Company, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for waiver filed by Reliable Telephone Company, LLC (Reliable) on August 16, 2010. The request seeks a waiver of late filing fees associated with Reliable’s 2010 FCC Form 499-A.
Word PDF

9/2/2010
Comment Sought on I-Wireless, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by i-wireless, LLC (i-wireless) on August 25, 2010. In the petition, i-wireless seeks designation as a limited eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) to participate in the Commission’s Lifeline program in the States of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Word PDF

8/31/2010
Comment Sought on Airband Communications Inc. Public Notice: On August 26, 2010, Airband Communications, Inc. (Airband) filed an application for review of a decision of the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau). In that decision, the Bureau upheld a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company that Airband had not timely filed a revision to its 2007 FCC Form 499-A and denied Airband’s request for waiver of the filing deadline.
Word PDF

8/31/2010
Comment Sought on Plans of Head Start Telecom, Inc., Consumer Cellular, Inc., and Line Up, LLC Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the compliance plans recently filed by Head Start Telecom, Inc., Consumer Cellular, Inc., and Line Up, LLC. These compliance plans are intended to satisfy the conditions imposed by the Commission when it granted limited forbearance from the requirement that carriers provide services, at least in part, over their own facilities in order to be designated an eligible telecommunications carrier.
Word PDF

8/30/2010
Allied Wireless Communications Corporation Order: In this order, the Bureau grants the petition of Allied Wireless Communications Corporation (AWCC) to be designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in the state of North Carolina. We find that AWCC meets the eligibility requirements of section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act and the Commission’s rules to be designated as an ETC in North Carolina.
Word PDF

8/27/2010
Comments Sought on Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health universal service support for portions of certain funding requests for 36 YKHC facilities.
Word | PDF

8/27/2010
Comments Sought on General Communications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by General Communications, Inc. (GCI), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health universal service support for portions of certain funding requests for Funding Year 2008.
Word | PDF

8/25/2010
Comments Sought on MeetingOne.com Corp. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by MeetingOne.com Corp. (MeetingOne).[1] MeetingOne seeks a stay of the Universal Service Administrative Company decision that the company is subject to universal service contribution obligations for past and future revenues associated with MeetingOne’s audio bridging service.
Word | PDF

8/24/2010
Comments Sought on Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on whether Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc. should be designated as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in partial rural wire centers so that it can serve the entire Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.
Word | PDF

8/24/2010
Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc. Memorandum Opinion and Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau designates Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc. (Standing Rock), a wireless carrier owned and operated by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in certain wire centers within the boundaries of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation (Standing Rock Reservation). The Bureau defers action on Standing Rock’s request to redefine and serve partial rural wire centers on the Reservation.
Word | PDF

8/23/2010
Comments Sought on the Twin Valley Telephone, Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition by Twin valley telephone, Inc. for waiver of sections 36.612(a)(3) and 54.305 (d)(1); the March 30, 2010 deadline for filing loop-related expense data to receive safety valve support ("the filing deadline").
Word | PDF

8/13/2010
Comments Sought for the Nebraska Public Service Commission Public Notice: Seeks comment on a Petition of the Nebraska Public Service Commission to permanently grandfather those health care providers who were eligible for universal service support under the Commission’s definition of “rural” prior to the Second Report and Order, but would no longer be eligible for universal service support after June 30, 2011.
Word | PDF

8/13/2010
499-A Revision Denial Order: Denied several petitions requesting review of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company that rejected late-filed revisions to FCC Forms 499.
Word | PDF

8/13/2010
499-A Revision Approval Order: Granted two petitions requesting review of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company that rejected late-filed revisions to FCC Forms 499.
Word | PDF

8/11/2010
Progressive Communications, Inc. Order: The Division grants an appeal of a decision by USAC concerning applications for discounted services under the E-rate program. Consistent with precedent, and based on a review of the record, the Division finds that the applicant, Dodge County, conducted a fair and open competitive bidding process and therefore the Division grants a waiver of the Commission's rules.
Order: Word | PDF

8/11/2010
Comment Sought for the AT&T Mobility Public Notice: Comments Sought on Petition of AT&T Mobility, LLC for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier and Transfer of the Alltel Pine Ridge Reservation Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

8/09/2010
Comment Deadlines for the Rural Health Care Public Notice: Comments are due by September 8, 2010 and reply comments are due by September 23, 2010, for the Rural Health Care NPRM released by the Commission on July 15, 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

8/06/2010
Requests for Waiver and Review of Decisions of the Universal Service Administrator by Beth Rivka School Et Al: Denied five requests for review of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company regarding the E-rate program.
Order: Word | PDF

7/30/2010
Head Start, Consumer Cellular, Midwestern Telecom. Inc., Line Up Order: FCC Conditionally Grants Forbearance Requests for Lifeline Universal Service Support.
Order: Word | PDF

7/27/2010
Pine Drive/Qwest Public Notice: Sought comment on joint petition of Pine Drive Telephone and Qwest to waive the study area boundary freeze as codified in Part 36 of the Commission’s rules.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/22/2010
Smith Bagley, Inc. Public Notice: Sought comment on Smith Bagley, Inc. request for review of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company and a request for declaratory ruling.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/21/2010
FCC Form 499-Q Filers Public Notice: Reminds FCC Form 499-Q filers of August 2 filing deadline and traffic study guidelines.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/15/2010
Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking: FCC seeks comment on reforms to the Universal Service Rural Health Care Fund to expand the reach and use of broadband connectivity by health care providers throughout the nation.
NPRM: Word | PDF

7/13/2010
Platinumtel Communications, LLC Public Notice: Sought comment on PlatinumTel Communications, LLC petition for forbearance from eligible telecommunications carrier facilities requirement.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/8/2010
Academy of Math and Science Order: The Commission addresses 257 requests from petitioners seeking waivers of the FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline for various funding years under the E-rate program.
Order: Word | PDF

7/8/2010
BCG Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for waiver filed by BCG, Inc. of a late filing sanction assessed by the Universal Service Administrative Company due to BCG’s late filing of its 2009 FCC Form 499-A.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/7/2010
Data Research Corporation Order: In this order, the Bureau grants a petition filed by Data Research Corporation (DRC) requesting that the Commission direct USAC to process certain funding requests under the E-rate program for funding year 2001 and grants DRC’s request to withdraw its petition for reconsideration of a Commission order.
Order: Word | PDF

7/1/2010
Carryover of Unused Schools and Libraries Universal Service Funds Public Notice: Announced that, pursuant to section 54.507(a)(2) of the Commission’s rules, $900 million in unused funds will be carried forward from Funding Years 2002 and 2005 through 2008 to increase the disbursements to schools and libraries in Funding Year 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/1/2010
Integrity Communications, Ltd Order: Denied Integrity's petition for reconsideration of a Bureau order (DA 09-1946, rel. Aug. 28, 2009) that upheld USAC's audit finding that Integrity violated E-rate rules.
Order: Word | PDF

7/1/10
E-Rate Bidding Process, Public Notice: WCB Seeks Comment on Revisions to FCC Forms 470 and 471 Under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
Form 470: Word | Acrobat
Form 470 Instructions: Word | Acrobat
Form 471: Word | Acrobat
Form 471 Instructions: Word | Acrobat

6/30/2010
Qwest, Iowa Telecom and Hershey Cooperative Telephone Co Order: WCB Grants Qwest and Iowa Telecom Study Area Waiver Request in Iowa and Qwest and Hershey Study Area Waiver Request in Nebraska.
Order: Word | PDF

6/30/2010
Copper River Native Association Public Notice: On June 4, 2010, Copper River Native Association (CRNA) filed a request for review of decisions of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), in which USAC denied funding to four health care clinics for more than three weeks in Funding Year 2008 because CRNA did not submit its competitive bid 28 days prior to the selection of its vendor as required under the Commission’s rules.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/25/2010
i-wireless, LLC Order: FCC Conditionally Grants i-wireless Forbearance Request for Lifeline Universal Service Support.
Order: Word | PDF

6/25/2010
Cricket Communication Inc. Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on June 21, 2010, by Cricket Communications, Inc. (Cricket), a wireless telecommunications carrier.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/25/2010
InContact, Inc. Public Notice: The Commission seeks comment on an Application for Review filed by inContact, Inc. On May 7, 2010, the Bureau denied a petition for review and reversal of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company as procedurally defective and moot. InContact seeks review of this decision.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/23/2010
Telecom Management, Inc. d/b/a/ Pioneer Telephone Order: Denied a request for review filed by Telecom Management, Inc. d/b/a Pioneer Telephone (TMI) of a USAC decision regarding universal service contributions true-ups. Upheld USAC’s decision to correct and reverse erroneous credits applied to TMI’s account.
Order: Word | PDF

6/23/2010
Action Communications, Inc. Order: Granted a request by Action Communications, Inc. (Action) for a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules. Found that Action has demonstrated that good cause exists to waive the rule because Action has provided evidence that, absent waiver of the rule, it will be unable to sustain its operations and will be unable to provide discounted telecommunications services to the rural health care providers it serves.
Order: Word | PDF

6/22/2010
Conexions, LLC Order: In this order, WCB extends from July 8, 2010 to October 6, 2010 the statutory deadline for acting on a petition for forbearance filed by Conexions, which requests forbearance from the Act’s facilities requirement for the limited purpose of participating in the universal service Lifeline program.
Order: Word | PDF

6/22/2010
Universal Service Contributions for Conference Bridge Providers PN: On June 4, 2010, Brennan Lynch LLP submitted on behalf of a petitioner that wishes to remain anonymous a petition requesting that the Commission issue a declaratory ruling setting a universal service contribution safe harbor percentage for conference bridge providers that offer jurisdictionally mixed service.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/21/2010
Low-Income Pilot Program PN: Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Remote Participation Details for June 23, 2010 Low-Income Pilot Program Roundtable Discussion.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/15/2010
Lifeline and Link-Up Eligibility, Verification and Outreach PN: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment on Lifeline and Link-Up Eligibility, Verification, and Outreach Issues Referred to Joint Board.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/14/2010
I-Wireless Forbearance Proceeding Public Notice: WCB Announces Quiet Period for i-wireless Forbearance Proceeding.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/11/2010
ComSpace Telecom of Raleigh Durham, Inc. and Millennium Telecom, LLC Order: In this order, we deny requests filed by ComScape Telecommunications of Raleigh-Durham, Inc. (ComScape) and Millennium Telecom, LLC (Millennium) to waive the filing deadline associated with the late filing of their FCC Forms 499-Q and allow them to late-file corrected forms.
Order: Word | PDF

6/10/2010
Southwest Alabama Community Mental Health Request Public Notice: In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Southwest Alabama Community Mental Health (SWAMH) request for review of a decision of the Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC determined that SWAMH’s administrative office is not a health care provider under section 54.601(1) of the Commission’s rules and is not eligible to receive benefits under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/9/2010
Comment Deadlines for the E-rate Broadband NPRM, the E-Rate ESL NPRM, and the Draft FY 2011 ESL Public Notice: Comments are due by July 9, 2010 and reply comments are due by July 26, 2010, for the E-rate Broadband NPRM released by the Commission on May 20, 2010, and the ESL Order and FNPRM released by the Commission on December 2, 2009. WCB is also seeking comment on the draft Eligible Services List (ESL) proposed by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for E-rate funding year 2011.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/8/2010
Broadband Pilot Programs for Low-Income Consumers Public Notice: On June 23, 2010, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (eastern daylight time), the Wireline Competition Bureau will host a roundtable discussion in the Commission Meeting Room to enable interested parties to discuss the design of pilot programs that would provide subsidies for broadband access to low-income consumers.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/7/2010
Line Up, LLC Petition For Forbearance Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on May 27, 2010, by Line Up, LLC (Line Up) for forbearance from the requirement in section 214(e)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, that eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) provide service, at least in part, over their own facilities. Line Up seeks forbearance to enable it to be designated an ETC for purposes of receiving universal service low-income support under the Lifeline program.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/7/2010
Lifeline Verification Surveys and Certifications Public Notice: This public notice serves as a reminder that an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in a state with its own state-based low-income program must submit a certification, signed by an officer of the company, to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) by August 31, 2010, and ensure that USAC receives the certification by that date, attesting that the ETC has complied with the state verification procedures. In addition, this public notice reminds all ETCs in federal default states to submit their annual Lifeline verification survey results to USAC and ensure that these results are received by USAC by August 31, 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/4/2010
Wellman Study Area Waiver Order: In this order, WCB grants a joint request from Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. (Iowa Telecom) and Wellman Cooperative Telephone Association (Wellman) for a waiver of the study area boundary freeze codified in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the Commission’s rules. The study area waiver will permit Iowa Telecom to transfer a small area from Iowa Telecom’s existing Williamsburg exchange, including one access line, to Wellman’s existing Iowa study area. WCB also grants Wellman’s request for a waiver of section 54.305 of the Commission’ rules to allow Wellman to receive universal service high-cost support for the acquired line in the same manner as its existing lines. Lastly, WCB grants Wellman’s request for a waiver of section 69.605(c) so that it may continue to operate as an average schedule company after the transfer.
Order: Word | PDF

6/4/2010
Verizon/Frontier Study Area Waiver Order: In this order, WCB grants, with one condition, a joint request from Verizon California Inc. (Verizon California), Verizon South Inc. (Verizon South), and Frontier Communications Corporation (Frontier) for waivers of the study area boundary freeze codified in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the Commission’s rules. The study area waiver will permit Verizon California to remove seven exchanges from its current California study area and permit Frontier to create a new California study area consisting of those same seven exchanges. In addition, the study area waiver will permit Verizon South to remove exchanges from its North Carolina study area, with the exception of its facilities and customers located in the Knotts Island exchange, permit Frontier to create a new North Carolina study area consisting of those same exchanges, and permit Verizon South to create a new North Carolina study area consisting solely of the Knotts Island exchange. The study area waiver requests are in connection with Verizon’s sale of operating companies in a number of states to Frontier.
Order: Word | PDF

6/4/2010
CTC Telecom High-Cost Waiver Order: In this order, WCB grants, consistent with precedent, CTC Telecom's request for waiver of the universal service high-cost filing deadline set forth in section 54.314(d)(6) of the Commission's rules.
Order: Word | PDF

6/4/2010
Bradford Regional Medical Center Waiver Order: In this order, WCB grants Bradford Regional Medical Center's request for reversal of a USAC decision denying funding for discounted services under the rural health care universal service support mechanism. In the draft order, we waive section 54.623(c)(3) of the Commission’s rules, which establishes the filing deadline for all required forms under the rural health care universal service support mechanism.
Order: Word | PDF

6/4/2010
Illinois St. BOE E-rate Order: In this order, WCB grants a request for review of a USAC decision that denied funding on the ground that Illinois BOE's services were obtained pursuant to a tariff which was not covered by a valid FCC Form 470, rather than the applicant's state master contract. WCB finds that the Illinois BOE was exercising a voluntary renewal option in its state master contract and, therefore, was operating under a valid contract. WCB therefore remands the application to USAC for further action consistent with this order.
Order: Word | PDF

6/4/2010
The Bronx Charter School for Better Learning E-Rate Order: In this order, WCB grants a request for review of a USAC decision that reduced funding on the ground that Bronx Charter’s documentation did not support the requested discount level. WCB finds that the school's assessment was correct and that USAC should have used a different method to calculate the discount level. WCB therefore remands the application to USAC for further action consistent with this order.
Order: Word | PDF

6/4/2010
Consumer Cellular ETC Forbearance Deadline Extension Order: In this order, WCB extends from June 30, 2010, to September 28, 2010, the statutory deadline for acting on a petition for forbearance filed by Consumer Cellular. The underlying petition for forbearance is one of the me-too petitions requesting forbearance from the Act’s facilities requirement for the limited purpose of participating in the Commission’s low income program.
Order: Word | PDF

6/3/2010
Telepacific Corp. Public Notice: On April 30, 2010, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) released an order granting in part the request of U.S. TelePacific Corp. (TelePacific) for review of a universal service contribution decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). On June 1, 2010, AT&T Inc., CenturyLink, SureWest Communications, and Verizon filed a joint petition asking the Bureau to clarify or reconsider certain aspects of that order. The Bureau seeks comment on this petition.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/2/2010
EFT Public Notice: In this public notice, to facilitate the processing of the electronic funds transfer (EFT) announced by the Bureau in September 2009, the Bureau establishes the effective date of August 31, 2010 for the electronic disbursement requirement. After August 31, 2010, if a recipient of universal service support payments fails to provide the required financial institution information on its FCC Form 498 to enable payment by EFT, USAC will not make universal service support payments to that entity until the entity provides the required information.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/2/2010
Alton Community Unit School District 11, Alton, IL et al Order: In this order, the Bureau addresses issues related to the USAC E-rate invoicing process and clarifies that an electronic funds transfer mechanism to distribute universal service support payments invoiced by service providers does not conflict with the Commission's directive that service providers must remit the E-rate discount amount to the applicant "prior to tendering or making use of the payment from the Administrator."
Order: Word | PDF

5/28/2010
Puerto Rico Telephone Company Public Notice: The Bureau announces that the comment and reply comment deadlines for the Puerto Rico Telephone Company, Inc. Petition for Reconsideration will be June 14, 2010 and June 22, 2010, respectively.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/28/2010
Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless Order: In this order, WCB approves the request of Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless and its affiliates (Cellco) for pro forma amendment of the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designations currently held by Cellco in the name of ALLTEL Communications, Inc. and its affiliated legal entities (Alltel) in Virginia and North Carolina, as well as ETC designations held by both Alltel and RCC Holdings, Inc. in Alabama. Under this order, the designated service areas of Alltel and RCC would reflect Cellco as the ETC designated entity. This order in does not affect the universal service reductions merger conditions.
Order: Word | PDF

5/26/2010
Agra Public School I-134 Order: In this order, WCB denies 104 appeals of decisions by USAC under the Universal Service E-rate program. WCB finds that the petitioners failed to submit their appeals to either the Commission or to USAC within 60 days as required by the Commission’s rules. Additionally, the petitioners did not show special circumstances necessary for the Commission to waive the 60-day deadline for filing an appeal.
Order: Word | PDF

5/25/2010
Separations Freeze Extension Report & Order: In this order, the Commission extends the existing freeze of Part 36 category relationships and jurisdictional cost allocation factors until June 30, 2011.
Report & Order: Word | PDF

5/21/2010
Puerto Rico Telephone Company, Inc. Recon Petition Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Puerto Rico Telephone Company, Inc. requesting that the Commission reconsider its decision declining to establish a new universal service high-cost support mechanism for non-rural insular carriers.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/20/2010
E-Rate Broadband Notice of Proposed Rulemaking This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) initiates one in a series of rulemaking proceedings to implement the National Broadband Plan’s vision of improving and modernizing the universal service programs. Specifically, this NPRM represents the first step toward upgrading the use of broadband by students and our communities through the E-rate program to create more opportunities for educational advances, economic growth, government delivery of services, and civic engagement. This NPRM seeks comment on a package of potential reforms to the E-rate program that could be implemented in funding year 2011 (July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012).
NPRM: Word | PDF

5/20/2010
Reliance Communications Public Notice: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Reliance Communications, Inc. and Reliance Communications International, Inc. (collectively, Reliance Communications).
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/20/2010
Idaho Falls Order: In this order, WCB grants a request for review of a USAC decision to deny a request by Idaho Falls to change its service provider.
Order: Word | PDF

5/20/2010
Expanets Order: In this order, WCB grants a request for review of a USAC decision that rescinded E-rate funds committed to the Rock Point Community School because the service was not installed by the September 30 annual deadline.
Order: Word | PDF

5/20/2010
Harvest Prep Order: In this order, WCB grants a request for waiver filed by the Harvest Preparatory School (Harvest) of the deadline for seeking an extension of the services delivery implementation deadline from USAC under the E-rate program.
Order: Word | PDF

5/20/2010
Children of Peace Order: In this order, WCB grants 25 appeals of USAC decisions that reduce or deny E-rate funding for various funding years because USAC found that the applicants failed to timely submit FCC Forms 486.
Order: Word | PDF

5/19/2010
Iowa Telecom Order: In this order, the Bureau denies a petition filed by Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. requesting that the Commission waive certain sections of the Commission’s rules to permit Iowa Telecom to receive universal service high-cost support under the non-rural mechanism.
Order: Word | PDF

5/19/2010
Qwest/RT Study Area Waiver: : In this order, WCB grants a request from Qwest Corporation for a waiver of the study area boundary freeze codified in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the Commission’s rules. The study area waiver will permit Qwest to remove a certain territory in Laramie County from its Wyoming study area and permit RT Communications, Inc. to add that same territory to its parent company’s existing Wyoming study area.
Order: Word | PDF

5/19/2010
Qwest/El Paso Study Area Waiver: In this order, WCB grants a joint request from El Paso County Telephone (El Paso) and Qwest Corporation (Qwest) for a waiver of the study area boundary freeze codified in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the Commission’s rules. The study area waiver will permit Qwest to remove a territory from its Colorado study area and permit El Paso to add that territory to its existing Colorado study area, and will also permit El Paso to remove a territory from its Colorado study area and permit Qwest to add that territory to its existing Colorado study area.
Order: Word | PDF

5/19/2010
Panora/Prairie Study Area Waiver: In this order, WCB grants a joint request from Panora Communications Cooperative (Panora) and Prairie Telephone Co., Inc. (Prairie) for a waiver of the study area boundary freeze codified in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the Commission’s rules. The study area waiver will permit Prairie to remove a territory from its Iowa study area and permit Panora to add that same territory to its existing Iowa study area. We deny, however, Panora’s request for waiver of section 54.305 of the Commission’s rules.
Order: Word | PDF

5/19/2010
Eagle/Midvale Study Area Waiver: In this order, WCB grants a joint request from Eagle Telephone System, Inc. (Eagle) and Midvale Telephone Exchange, Incorporated (Midvale) for a waiver of the study area boundary freeze codified in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the Commission’s rules. The study area waiver will permit Midvale to remove the Connor Creek area located in northeast Oregon and a small portion of Idaho from its Idaho study area and permit Eagle to add that same territory to its existing Oregon study area.
Order: Word | PDF

5/19/2010
Qwest/Dubois Study Area Waiver: In this order, WCB grants a joint request from Dubois Telephone Exchange, Inc. (Dubois) and Qwest Corporation (Qwest) for a waiver of the study area boundary freeze. The study area waiver will permit Qwest to remove the Carbon County territory from its Wyoming study area and permit Dubois to add that territory to its existing Wyoming study area.
Order: Word | PDF

5/18/2010
Arkansas Preemption Dismissal Order: In this order, we dismiss as moot a petition filed by Alltel Communications, Inc. (Alltel) seeking a declaratory ruling preempting section 5(d)(1) of the Arkansas Telecommunications Regulatory Act of 1997.
Order: Word | PDF

5/14/2010
Allo Communications Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by Allo Communications for waiver of section 54.307(c), quarterly line count filing deadline
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/13/2010
FY 2010 E-Rate PIA Procedures Approval Letter: WCB approves USAC's program integrity assurance (PIA) procedures for E-rate.
Letter: Word | PDF

5/13/2010
Universal Service Reform NOI and NPRM Comment Cycle Public Notice: WCB announces comment and reply comment deadlines for the Universal Service Reform NOI and NPRM of July 12, 2010 and August 11, 2010, respectively.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/11/2010
Puerto Rico Low Income Public Notice: The Bureau announces that the comment and reply comment deadlines for the Puerto Rico Order and Second NPRM will be June 7, 2010 and June 21, 2010, respectively.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/7/2010
InContact Request for Review Order:In this order, the Bureau denies as procedurally defective inContact's request for review of a USAC decision regarding universal service contributions.
Order: Word | PDF

5/7/2010
MeetingOne Request for Review Public Notice:The Wireline Competition seeks comment on MeetingOne.com Corp.’s request for review of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company finding that the company is subject to universal service contribution obligations for past and future revenues associated with MeetingOne’s audio bridging service.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/6/2010
Syringa Wireless, LLC Public Notice:The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Syringa Wireless, LLC seeking waiver of a filing deadline required by section 54.307(c) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of universal service high-cost support funds.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/5/2010
PR Wireless Public Notice:On April 5, 2010, PR Wireless, Inc., pursuant to sections 54.721 and 54.722 of the Commission’s rules, filed a request for review of an audit finding by USAC. Specifically, PR Wireless requests that the Commission review USAC’s audit finding regarding the manner in which PR Wireless reports prepaid wireless subscribers in the universal service high-cost line counts it files with USAC. PR Wireless also requests reversal of USAC’s decision to recover universal service high-cost support funds that the auditor determined to have been improperly paid to PR Wireless. The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on PR Wireless’s request.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/5/2010
Etex Grant Order:In this order, we grant a request filed by ETEX Telephone Cooperative (ETEX) for a waiver of the October 1, 2008 data filing deadline set forth in section 54.301(b) of the Commission’s rules concerning universal service local switching support (LSS). We find that ETEX has demonstrated that good cause warrants this waiver.
Order: Word | PDF

5/4/2010
Joint Board Conference on Advanced Telecommunications Services Appointments Order:In this Order, and pursuant to section 41(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Communications Act), the Commission hereby fills two vacancies created by previous departures from the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services.
Order: Word | PDF

5/4/2010
Low Income Joint Board Referral Order:In this Order, we ask the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) to review the Commission’s eligibility, verification, and outreach rules for the Lifeline and Link Up universal service programs, which currently provide discounts on telephone service for low-income customers.
Order: Word | PDF

5/3/2010
TracFone 911 Rescision Order:In this order, we deny a petition filed by TracFone Wireless, Inc. (TracFone) requesting rescission of a condition imposed in the TracFone ETC Designation Order.
Order: Word | PDF

4/30/2010
TelePacific Request for Review Order:In this order, WCB grants in part a request for review filed by U.S. TelePacific Corp. d/b/a TelePacific Communications (TelePacific) of a USAC decision requiring TelePacific to contribute to the universal service fund based on revenues from TelePacific’s provision of Internet access service. WCB directs USAC to accept TelePacific’s re-filed 2008 FCC Form 499-A, in which TelePacific reports its revenue in accordance with the Commission’s precedent on classification of broadband Internet access services. In addition, we order TelePacific to provide to WCB a detailed explanation of the methodology by which TelePacific apportions revenues derived from its sale to end users of voice telephony and other services utilizing leased T-1 lines and how it reports such revenues on FCC Form 499-A, within 60 days of this order. We further order TelePacific to provide USAC with the names and contact information of its wholesale providers of transmission services, so that USAC can assure that any contributions owed to the universal service fund are promptly paid.
Order: Word | PDF

4/29/2010
499 Late Fee Denial Order (Achilles et al.):In this order, WCB denies thirteen requests for reversal of the late filing fee associated with the late filing of FCC Forms 499-A and 499-Q.
Order: Word | PDF

4/29/2010
Flat Rock et al High-Cost Waiver Order: In this order, WCB grants fives requests for waiver of a high-cost universal service support filing deadlines, filed by: Flat Rock Telephone Co-Op, Inc.; Windstream Communications, Inc.; Palmerton Telephone Company and Northeastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company; Northwest Iowa Telephone Company; and West River Telecommunications Cooperative.
Order: Word | PDF

4/29/2010
GA PSC High-Cost Waiver Order: In this order, WCB grants the Georgia Public Service Commission’s request for waiver of section 54.314(d)(1) of the Commission’s rules for good cause.
Order: Word | PDF

4/29/2010
Nebraska Technologies High-Cost Waiver Denial Order: In this order, WCB denies six requests, filed by Nebraska Technology & Telecommunications, Inc.; Dixie-Net Communications, Inc.; The Community Cable Television Agency of O’Brien County d/b/a The Community Agency and TCA; H&B Cable Services, Inc.; FiberNet LLC; and Skylink LLC, for waiver of high-cost universal service support filing deadlines. The petitioners failed to promptly correct their mistakes or to demonstrate that special circumstances were present.
Order: Word | PDF

4/29/2010
Three ETC Relinquishments Order: In the order, TAPD grants relinquishments of ETC status by three federally designated ETCs. These relinquishments are not related to the Verizon Wireless or Sprint merger conditions and won't affect the size of the CETC interim cap.
Order: Word | PDF

4/29/2010
Head Start Forbearance Extension Order: In this order, WCB extends from May 15, 2010, to August 13, 2010, the statutory deadline for acting on a petition for forbearance filed by Head Start. The underlying petition for forbearance is one of the me-too petitions requesting forbearance from the Act’s facilities requirement for the limited purpose of participating in the Commission’s Lifeline universal service program.
Order: Word | PDF

4/29/2010
NEP Cellcorp ETC Designation Order: In this order, WCB grants the request of NEP Cellcorp, Inc. to amend its ETC designation in Pennsylvania to include the rural study area of North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company.
Order: Word | PDF

4/29/2010
Tuba City Rural Health Care Order: In this order, WCB denies a request for review of a USAC decion to deny funding under the RHC program to Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (Tuba City). We find that after changing service providers, Tuba City failed to timely submit a new FCC Form 466 before the June 30 filing deadline. Note, that the June 30 deadline was still codified in the Commission rules for funding year 2004.
Order: Word | PDF

4/27/2010
Alliance Form 499-A Denial Order: In this order, WCB denies the request filed by Alliance Group Services, Inc. (Alliance) seeking review of the decision on remand issued by USAC. Specifically, Alliance challenges USAC’s decision not to accept Alliance’s April 13, 2001 filing of its 2000 FCC Form 499-A. WCB affirms USAC’s decision on remand because Alliance failed to provide an explanation of the cause for the change along with documentation showing how the revised figures derive from corporate financial records.
Order: Word | PDF

4/27/2010
US Cellular Tennessee ETC Amendment Order: In this order, WCB grants the request of United States Cellular Corporation to amend its ETC designation in the state of Tennessee.
Order: Word | PDF

4/21/2010
FCC Kicks Off Universal Service Reform. This proposed notice of inquiry (NOI) and notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) represents the first step towards establishing the detailed analytic basis for a Universal Service Fund that will efficiently target funding to support broadband as well as voice service, while cutting inefficient funding of voice networks in the legacy high-cost support program. The NOI seeks comment on whether the Commission should use a model to assist in determining universal service support levels in areas where there is no private sector business case to provide broadband and voice services. The NOI also seeks comment on the best way to create an accelerated process to target funding toward new deployment of broadband networks in unserved areas, while the Commission considers final rules to implement fully a new broadband funding mechanism that efficiently ensures universal access to broadband and voice in areas where government support is necessary. Finally, the NPRM seeks comment on specific common-sense reforms to contain growth in the legacy high-cost support mechanisms and identify savings that can be shifted toward broadband communications.
NOI & NPRM: PDF
Genachowski Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Clyburn Statement: Word | Acrobat
Baker Statement: Word | Acrobat

4/16/2010
Non-Rural Insular Order and NPRM : In the Order, the Commission addresses high-cost universal service support for non-rural carriers serving insular areas. In the NPRM, the Commission seeks comment on amending its rules to provide additional low-income support in Puerto Rico.
Order: Word | PDF

4/16/2010
Qwest II Remand Order and MO&O: In the Order on Remand, the Commission responds to the Tenth Circuit on high-cost universal service support for non-rural carriers. In the Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Commission determines that supplemental high-cost support is required under the current non-rural high-cost support mechanism to achieve reasonably comparable rates in Wyoming.
Order: Word | PDF

4/16/2010
Ambess 499Q Dismissal Order In this order, we dismiss as moot seven requests for waiver of actions taken by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
Order: Word | PDF

4/16/2010
NASUCA Contribution Factor Order: In the NASUCA Contribution Factor Order, the Telecommunications Access Policy Division dismisses the request of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates to reduce the contribution factor for the third quarter of 2009 as moot.
Order: Word | PDF

4/16/2010
Sage Withdrawal Order: In the Sage Withdrawal Order, the Telecommunications Access Policy Division grants Sage Telecom’s request to withdraw a petition it had previously filed seeking a waiver of certain contribution reporting requirements.
Order: Word | PDF

4/16/2010
Allied Wireless Communications Corporation ETC Public Notice: On April 13, 2010, Allied Wireless Communications Corporation filed a petition seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier in North Carolina pursuant to section 214(e)(6) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

4/14/2010
Lowest Corresponding Price Public Notice: WCB seeks comment on petition filed by the United States Telecom Association and CTIA – The Wireless Association for declaratory ruling to clarify several issues involving one element of the E-rate program, formally known as the schools and libraries universal service support program. Petitioners seek clarification of the scope and meaning of the Commission’s “lowest corresponding price” rule. The rule mandates that service providers cannot charge schools, school districts, libraries, library consortia, or consortia including any of these entities a price above the lowest corresponding price for supported services, unless the Commission, with respect to interstate services or the state commission with respect to intrastate services, finds that the lowest corresponding price is not compensatory.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

4/8/2010
Separations Freeze NPRM Comment Dates: The Wireline Competition Bureau released a public notice announcing Federal Register publication of the separations freeze extension notice of proposed rulemaking. Comments are due April 19, 2010 and reply comments are due April 26, 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/31/2010
Hurricane Katrina Lifeline Audits Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on three requests for review of certain of certain Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) low-income support audit findings against Cingular Wireless (Cingular), T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile), and TracFone Wireless, Inc. (TracFone). In each case, USAC found that the carrier failed to comply with the documentation retention requirements of the Commission's Hurricane Katrina Order.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/30/2010
Midwestern Telecommunications Forbearance Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed on March 16, 2010, by Midwestern Telecommunications, Inc. (Midwestern) for forbearance from the requirement in section 214(e)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, that eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) provide service, at least in part, over their own facilities. Midwestern seeks forbearance to enable it to be designated an ETC for purposes of receiving universal service low-income support under the Lifeline and Link Up programs.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/30/2010
Public Notice for Comment on Interim and Comprehensive Reform: In this Public Notice, the Federal-State Joint Board on Separations seeks comment on a proposal for interim adjustments to jurisdictional separations allocation factors and category relationships pending comprehensive reform and seeks comment on comprehensive reform.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/23/2010
LTS of Rocky Mount, LLC (LTS) and South Miami Wash Bowl, Inc. (South Miami) Dismissal Order: This order dismisses as moot two requests filed by LTS of Rocky Mount, LLC and South Miami Wash Bowl, Inc. The requests are moot because USAC erred in assessing the late fees and has since provided a credit to both petitioners.
Order: Word | PDF

3/23/2010
I-wireless Forbearance Extension Order: On April 1, 2009, i-wireless filed a petition requesting that the Commission forbear from applying the requirements of section 214(e)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), to the extent that those provisions require a common carrier designated as an eligible telecommunication carrier to offer services supported by the federal universal service support mechanisms using either its own facilities or a combination of its own facilities and another carrier’s services. Additional time is required to fully examine whether the forbearance requested by i-wireless in its petition meets the statutory requirements set forth in the Act. We therefore extend by 90 days the date by which the petition requesting forbearance filed by i-wireless shall be deemed granted in the absence of a Commission decision that the petition fails to meet the standards for forbearance.
Order: Word | PDF

3/18/2010
Local Switching Support Report & Order & Memorandum Opinion & Order: In this order, the Commission addresses an inequitable asymmetry in the Commission’s current rules governing the receipt of universal service high-cost local switching support (LSS) by small incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs). By modifying the Commission’s rules to permit incumbent LECs that lose lines to receive additional LSS when they cross a threshold, the order provides LSS to all small LECs on the same basis. Nothing in the order is intended to address the long-term role of LSS in the Commission’s high-cost universal service policies, which the Commission is considering as part of comprehensive universal service reform.
Order: Word | PDF

3/15/2010
NTCH ETC and Forbearance Petitions Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a two petitions filed on March 5, 2010, by NTCH, Inc. (NTCH), a provider of commercial mobile radio services. NTCH seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for certain areas in Alabama and Tennessee. NTCH seeks ETC designation for the limited purpose of participating in the universal service low-income Lifeline program and does not request ETC designation to receive universal service high-cost support. In a separate petition, NTCH seeks forbearance from the definition of service area contained in section 214(e)(5) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and section 54.207(b) of the Commission’s rules so that it can be designated an ETC for the limited purposes of participating in the Lifeline program.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/15/2010
Virgin Mobile Petition to Modify Compliance Plan Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on the petition filed on March 4, 2010, by Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. (Virgin Mobile). On October 29, 2009, the Bureau approved Virgin Mobile’s plan for complying with the conditions imposed by the Commission in granting Virgin Mobile’s request to forbear from the facilities ownership requirement of section 214(e)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. Grant of this forbearance allowed Virgin Mobile to seek designation as a limited eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for the purpose of providing universal service low-income support through the Lifeline program. Virgin Mobile now seeks to supplement its compliance plan with two additional methods by which it will satisfy the requirement that its Lifeline customers self-certify before receiving service that they are the head of their household and only receive Lifeline-supported service from Virgin Mobile.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/11/2010
Level 3 App for Review Public Notice: On March 1, 2010, Level 3, LLC, ICG Telecom Group, Inc., Looking Glass Networks, Inc., Looking Glass Networks of Virginia, Inc., Progress Telecom, LLC, and Wiltel Communications, LLC, (collectively Level 3) filed an application for review of a Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) order, in which the Bureau upheld a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Specifically, Level 3 asserts that the Bureau erred when it upheld USAC’s assessment of late fees, interest, and penalties on Level 3 due to the late filing of the Level 3 companies’ revised 2008 FCC Forms 499-A.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/10/2010
USAC Form 497 Line 9 Letter Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on USAC’s February 23, 2010 letter asking: (1) what recovery action, if any, USAC should take against an ETC that has failed to pro-rate support claims for partial-month Lifeline customers; and (2) whether ETCs may use Line 9 of FCC Form 497 for any purpose other than to report the amount of support attributed to partial-month Lifeline customers.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/9/2010
E-rate Community Use Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Public Notice: On February 19, 2010, the FCC released an order and notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) enabling schools that receive funding from the E-rate program to allow members of the general public to use the schools’ Internet access during non-operating hours through funding year 2010 and seeking comment on revising its rules to make this change permanent. The FCC set the comment and reply comment deadline for the NPRM as 30 and 45 days, respectively, after publication of the summary of the NPRM in the Federal Register. On March 5, 2010, a summary of the NPRM appeared in the Federal Register. Accordingly, comments will be due on April 5, 2010, and reply comments will be due on April 19, 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/1/2010
USAC Board Public Notice and Letter: On March 1, 2010, Chairman Julius Genachowski named five members to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). In a public notice released on September 28, 2009, the Wireline Competition Bureau solicited nominations to fill vacancies on the USAC Board of Directors in accordance with the nomination and appointment procedures of section 54.703(c) of the Commission’s rules. The nominations period closed on November 1, 2009. These five members are selected as successors to Board members whose terms expired on December 31, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF
Letter: Word | PDF

3/1/2010
Colorado 911 Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the Adams County E-911 Emergency Telephone Service Authority, the Arapahoe County E-911 Emergency Communication Service Authority, and the Jefferson County Emergency Communications Authority (collectively, the Colorado 911 Authorities).
Public Notice: Word | PDF

2/26/2010
Virgin Mobile ETC Designation in CT DC DE NH Public Notice : The PN seeks comment on four petitions filed February 17, 2010, by Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. (Virgin Mobile), a provider of commercial mobile radio services. Virgin Mobile seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, and New Hampshire and the District of Columbia. Virgin Mobile seeks ETC designation for the limited purpose of participating in the universal service low-income Lifeline program and does not request ETC designation to receive universal service high-cost support.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

2/26/2010
Bayou Internet PN: The Wireline Competition seeks comment on a petition filed by Bayou Internet. Bayou Internet seeks review of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC denied Bayou Internet’s request for waiver of the late filing fees related to Bayou Internet’s 2009 FCC Form 499-A.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

2/25/2010
Ad Hoc Carrier's Carrier Petition Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the Ad Hoc Coalition of International Telecommunications Companies. In that petition, the Coalition requests that the Commission commence a rulemaking to address the Universal Service Administrative Company’s interpretation and application of the rules and requirements for carriers’ reporting of revenues from the provision of service to other carriers (i.e., wholesale revenues) for purposes of determining universal service contribution obligations.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

2/24/2010
Standing Rock Petition for Redefinition PN: The Wireline Competition Bureau provides notice that it is initiating a proceeding to consider a petition filed by Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc., pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules, to redefine the service area served by several rural telephone companies in North and South Dakota.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

2/24/2010
Verizon-Frontier Study Area Waiver PN: Verizon California and Frontier seek a waiver of the study area boundary freeze to transfer seven exchanges from Verizon California’s existing California study area to a newly created Frontier study area in California. Verizon South and Frontier also seek a waiver of the study area boundary freeze to transfer all exchanges, with the exception of the Knotts Islands exchange, from Verizon South’s existing North Carolina study area to a newly created Frontier study area in North Carolina. The study area waiver requests are in connection with the transaction in which Verizon proposes to transfer operating companies in a number of states to Frontier. The attached public notice seeks comment on the requested study area waiver.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

2/22/2010
Form 499 2010 Revisions Public Notice: The Commission released the revised annual and quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets (FCC Form 499-A and FCC Form 499-Q) and accompanying instructions.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

2/19/2010
E-rate Community Use Order: In this order, the Commission waives, on  its own motion, through funding year 2010 (which ends June 30, 2011), rules that currently discourage public use of resources funded by E-rate.  In the notice of proposed rulemaking,  the Commission seeks comment on revising  its rules to make the change permanent.  This change will leverage universal service funding to serve a larger population at no increased cost to the E-rate program.  The general public will be able to use the Internet access already present in schools, at the schools’ discretion, for purposes such as job searches and applications, digital literacy programs, and online access to governmental services and resources. 
Order: Word | PDF

2/18/2010
RHC Pilot Program Extension Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau extends by one year, to June 30, 2011, the deadline for participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program to select a vendor and request a funding commitment from the USAC.
Order: Word | PDF

2/16/2010
Alltel Audit Public Notice Extension : The Wireline Competition Bureau grants an extension of the deadline for filing comments in the above-captioned proceeding from February 18, 2010 to February 25, 2010, and an extension of the deadline for filing reply comments from March 5, 2010 to March 12, 2010. Parties must comply with all other procedures and filing requirements announced in the CIPA PN.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

2/16/2010
Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act Extension Public Notice : The Wireline Competition Bureau extends the deadline to file comments on modifying the E-rate rules to comply with the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act to February 25, 2010 and extends the deadline for filing reply comments to March 12, 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

2/2/2010
New Orleans E-rate Order : The Commission addresses requests for waivers of its rules filed by the State of Louisiana Department of Education, the Recovery School District, and the New Orleans Public Schools, under the E-rate program, generally seeking to make changes to their applications for funding years 2004, 2007, 2008, and 2009. The requested changes are not ministerial or clerical errors, pursuant to the Commission’s Bishop Perry Order, and thus require Commission action.
Order: Word | PDF

2/2/2010
Twin Valley Declaratory Order: In this order, in response to a referral from the United States District Court for the District of Kansas pursuant to the primary jurisdiction doctrine, we clarify the effective date of the Wireline Competition Bureau’s (Bureau’s) order granting Twin Valley Telephone, Inc. (Twin Valley) waivers of the study area boundary freeze and section 69.3(e)(11) of the Commission’s rules. We find that the waivers granted in the Twin Valley Order became effective upon release of that order.
Order: Word | PDF

2/2/2010
Lifeline Declaratory Ruling Order: In this order, we address four petitions for waiver of section 54.410 of the Commission’s rules and six requests for a declaratory ruling concerning the Commission’s Lifeline certification and verification requirements. We grant the requests for waiver seeking an extension of the June 22, 2005, deadline to submit sample Lifeline verification data in the US Cellular Washington Petition, the ADT Petition, and the VA Cellular Petition. We also grant the Petitioners’ requests for a declaratory ruling and conclude that when a state commission mandates Lifeline support, but does not impose certification and verification requirements on certain carriers within the state, the affected carriers must follow federal default criteria for certification and verification purposes. Finally, we grant the requests filed by Wisconsin RSA #4 and US Cellular Wisconsin to withdraw their petitions.
Order: Word | PDF

2/1/2010
Verizon Wireless Extension Order: In this order, WCB grants a request by Verizon Wireless for a limited extension of waivers of certain universal service FCC Form 499 reporting requirements previously granted by WCB. Specifically, the order extends temporary waivers of universal service revenue reporting requirements to allow Verizon Wireless to file a consolidated revenue data report for affiliated entities it acquired in its mergers with Alltel Corporation and Rural Cellular Corporation and to report revenues for all affiliated companies using a weighted average of actual and safe harbor revenues. The order finds that good cause exists to extend these waivers due to special circumstances arising out of the Commission’s pending review of divestiture issues related to Verizon Wireless’s merger.
Order: Word | PDF

1/29/2010
Bayland Public Notice:The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Bayland Communications, LLC seeking waiver of a filing deadline required by section 54.904(d) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of universal service high-cost support funds.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/29/2010
Level 3 Contributions Appeal Order:The Wireline Competition Bureau denies a request for review of a decision by USAC, filed by Level 3 Communications, asking the Commission to reverse USAC’s computation of Level 3’s annual true-up based on Level 3’s original FCC Form 499 filings, which were timely filed on or about April 1, 2008, and USAC’s subsequent refusal to expedite processing of Level 3’s revised FCC Form 499-A filings reporting revenue for the 2007 calendar year. We also find that Level 3 has not demonstrated good cause sufficient to warrant waiver of the interest that has accrued on the universal service contribution invoices issued by USAC based on Level 3’s original 2008 FCC Form 499-A filings. Additionally, in light of the decision reached here, we deny as moot Level 3’s requests seeking stay from USAC’s issuance of invoices based on Level 3’s original 2008 499-A filings and seeking waiver of the public notice requirement for Commission action.
Order: Word | PDF

1/28/2010
Virgin Mobile ETC PN: WCB seeks comment on a petition filed by Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. (Virgin Mobile), a provider of commercial mobile radio services. Virgin Mobile seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) in the state of Alabama. Virgin Mobile seeks ETC designation for the limited purpose of participating in the universal service low-income Lifeline program and does not request ETC designation to receive universal service high-cost support.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/28/2010
PEMA TracFone Opposition Withdrawal Order: In this order, WCB grants the request filed by PEMA to withdraw its petition to reject TracFone’s self-certification that TracFone is in full compliance with applicable Pennsylvania 911 and E-911 obligations.
Order: Word | PDF

1/28/2010
Equant Dismissal Order: In this order, WCB dismisses as moot Equant's request for review of a USAC decision rejecting its revised 2000 499-A filing.
Order: Word | PDF

1/22/2010
Western New Mexico Telephone Company,Inc. High Cost Order : In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau grants thirteen requests for waiver of high-cost universal service support filing deadlines, filed by: Western New Mexico Telephone Company, Inc.; Yukon Telephone Company, Inc.; Northern New England Telephone Operations LLC and Telephone Operating Company of Vermont LLC; Ballard Rural Telephone Cooperative Corporation, Inc.; PRWireless, Inc.; CommuniGroup of Jackson, Inc.; Hopi Telecommunications, Inc.; Midstate Telecom, Inc.; T-Mobile USA, Inc.; WorldNet Telecommunications, Inc.; QSI Consulting, Inc., on behalf of Midcontinent Communications; and General Communications, Inc.
Order: Word | PDF

1/20/2010
Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act Public Notice: On November 5, 2009, the Commission released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on revising rules regarding the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism, also known as the E-rate program, to comply with the requirements of the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. Among other things, section 215 of the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, titled Promoting Online Safety in Schools, revised section 254(h)(5)(B) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, by adding a new certification requirement for elementary and secondary schools that have computers with Internet access and receive discounts under the E-rate program. The Commission also proposed to revise related Commission rules to reflect existing statutory language more accurately. Interested parties may file comments on or before February 18, 2010, and reply comments on or before March 5, 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/19/2010
Standing Rock Telecom ETC PN: WCB seeks comment on a petition filed by Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc. (SRTI), a tribal-government owned wireless carrier. SRTI seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for a service area coterminous with the existing rural study areas within the external boundaries of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and North Dakota.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/19/2010
Grande Contributions PN: WCB seeks comment on a petition filed by Grande Communications Networks (Grande). Grande seeks review of a USAC decision that resulted in reclassification of certain of the company’s revenues reported for purposes of universal service contribution assessments for calendar years 2004, 2005, and 2006.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/19/2010
TelePacific Contributions PN: WCB seeks comment on two requests filed by U.S. TelePacific Corp. d/b/a TelePacific Communications (TelePacific). In its first request, TelePacific seeks review and reversal of a USAC decision that would reclassify certain revenues for purposes of universal service contribution assessments for calendar year 2007 and require TelePacific to refile its 2008 FCC Form 499-A by February 8, 2010. In its second request, TelePacific seeks a stay of that decision.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/13/2010
Clarification Regarding Comment Cycle for Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking On E-rate Eligible Services List: In this PN, WCB clarifies that EDOCS had erroneously set comment dates for the E-rate Eligible Services List FNPRM. The comment cycle will not be set until after the Federal Register publication, which has not yet happened. As soon as a summary of the further notice is published in the Federal Register, WCB will release a public notice with the correct comment deadlines. We will consider all comments that already have been filed in response to the FNPRM and note that commenters may refile or supplement comments already filed.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/12/2010
Thumb Cellular Order: TAPD dismisses as moot Thumb Cellular’s motion for ruling on an appeal of USAC’s denial of USF funding because the Bureau already granted the underlying appeal.
Order: Word | PDF

1/12/2010
CenturyTel of Eagle Order: TAPD grants the request of CenturyTel of Eagle to withdraw its application for review. On August 1, 2002, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission petitioned the Commission for agreement with its proposed redefinition of the service area of CenturyTel of Eagle. On November 25, 2002, that redefinition petition was deemed approved under Commission rule 54.207(c)(2)(ii). CenturyTel filed an application for review arguing that the Commission’s deemed-approved process violates the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and that the redefinition of its service area was not in the public interest. On October 20, 2009, CenturyTel filed a request for withdrawal of its application for review.
Order: Word | PDF

1/12/2010
Cricket ETC Designation Petition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Cricket Communications, Inc. (Cricket), a provider of commercial mobile radio services. Cricket seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for certain counties in New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia as well as in the District of Columbia. Cricket seeks ETC designation for the limited purpose of participating in the universal service low-income Lifeline and Link-Up programs and does not request ETC designation to receive universal service high-cost support. Please note: Cricket is a facilities-based ETC and thus does not require forbearance before being designated an ETC.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/12/2010
Consumer Cellular ETC Designation Petition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Consumer Cellular, Inc. (Consumer Cellular), a reseller of commercial mobile radio services. Consumer Cellular seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for certain counties in Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Consumer Cellular seeks ETC designation for the limited purpose of participating in the universal service low-income Lifeline program and does not request ETC designation to receive high-cost universal service support. Please note: Consumer Cellular has a petition pending before the Commission seeking forbearance from the facilities-based ETC requirement; this ETC designation petition assumes that the Commission will grant that petition.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/12/2010
NextGen Order: TAPD grants the request of NextGen Telephone to withdraw a letter it had filed requesting review of a decision by USAC, in which USAC determined that NextGen should report subscriber line charges as interstate revenue subject to federal universal service fund contributions.
Order: Word | PDF

1/12/2010
Direct Allband Waiver Order: In this order, we deny requests from Direct Communications Cedar Valley, LLC (Direct) and Allband Communications Cooperative (Allband) for waivers of sections 36.611 and 36.612 of the Commission’s rules. Direct requests a waiver of sections 36.611 and 36.612 to allow it to receive universal service high-cost loop support payments as of February 1, 2006, the date that Direct closed its purchase of the Eagle Mountain City municipal telephone system (EMC). Allband requests a waiver of sections 36.611 and 36.612 to allow it to receive support retroactively to the month that its first customer is provided service.
Order: Word | PDF

1/12/2010
Smith Bagley Interim Cap Waiver: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Smith Bagley, Inc. (SBI) seeking a waiver of the interim cap that the Commission imposed on the amount of universal service high-cost support that competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may receive. Specifically, SBI requests a waiver to enable SBI and other competitive ETCs to obtain uncapped high-cost support to provide or expand telecommunications services to residents of the Eastern Navajo Agency of the Navajo Nation in the state of New Mexico.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/12/2010
Partner Forbearance Petition, and Protective Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Partner Communications Cooperative (Partner) seeking forbearance from section 54.305(b) and (d) of the Commission’s rules. Specifically, Partner requests that the Commission forbear from enforcing section 54.305(b) and (d) of the Commission’s rules so that Partner may receive additional universal service high-cost support and local switching support for four exchanges it acquired in 2006. Partner states that grant of its petition will allow Partner to upgrade its telephone network and provide the platform for eventual ubiquitous broadband coverage in the four acquired high-cost exchanges, as well as in its two original exchanges. Please note: Partner seeks confidential treatment of certain data provided in its filing, and a protective order is also attached.
Order: Word | PDF
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/12/2010
Pine Belt High-Cost Waiver: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by Pine Belt Telephone Company, Inc. that the Commission: (1) direct NECA to re-open the 24-month window that NECA established for its members to adjust cost studies submitted to NECA, so that Pine Belt may adjust its 2005 cost study; and (2) require that NECA reimburse Pine Belt for any amounts that may become due to Pine Belt as a result of Pine Belt’s desired adjustments. Comments are due on February 11, 2010. Reply comments are due on February 26, 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/12/2010
CTC High-Cost Waivers Petition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by CTC Telecom, Inc. (d/b/a Snake River PCS) for waiver of the sixty-day filing deadline set forth in section 54.314(d) of the Commission’s rules for high-cost support.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

1/4/2010
Qwest II – Tenth Circuit Remand: On December 15, 2009, the Commission released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding high-cost universal service support for non-rural carriers, in response to the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Qwest Communications International, Inc. v. FCC. The Commission set the comment and reply comment deadlines for this Further Notice as 30 and 45 days, respectively, after publication of the summary of the Further Notice in the Federal Register. On December 29, 2009, a summary of the Further Notice appeared in the Federal Register. Accordingly, comments will be due on January 28, 2010, and reply comments will be due on February 12, 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

12/30/09
2010 Average Schedule Order: Each year, NECA and USAC submit to WCB for approval proposed modifications of formulas that determine universal service high-cost loop and local switching support, respectively, for average schedule companies. The formulas are based on statistical analysis of sample companies. In the attached order, WCB approves the formulas.
Order: Word | PDF

12/30/09
Cellco/Verizon ETC PN: WCB seeks comment on the Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless requests to amend the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designations currently held by Alltel in Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia (and also ETC designations held by RCC Holdings in Virginia). Under the proposed amendment, Alltel’s and RCC’s ETC designations would reflect Cellco as the designated entity.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

12/30/09
Alltel Lifeline Audit PN: In this Public Notice, the Commission seeks comment on the Verizon/Alltel Management Trust’s request for review of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) low-income support audit findings that the Verizon/Alltel Management Trust: (1) lacked effective procedures for excluding duplicate claims for universal service low-income support under the Lifeline program from a single address; (2) claimed Tier 4 Lifeline support for subscribers not residing on Tribal lands and failed to provide Tier 4 Lifeline support to eligible households on Tribal lands; (3) sought Lifeline reimbursement for subscribers claimed on other carriers’ FCC Forms 497; and (4) claimed Lifeline support for subscribers on Tribal lands who received a rate plan that included toll-free calling.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

12/22/09
Wellman/Iowa Telecom Study Area Waiver: WCB seeks comment on a joint petition for waiver of the study area boundary freeze filed by Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. (Iowa Telecom) and Wellman Cooperative Telephone Association (Wellman). Iowa Telecom and Wellman seek a waiver of the study area boundary freeze to transfer a small area from Iowa Telecom’s existing Iowa study area to Wellman’s existing Iowa study area. Wellman also requests a waiver of section 54.305 of the Commission’s rules so that it may receive universal service support for the acquired line in the same manner as its existing lines, and Wellman seeks a waiver of the average schedule company definition so that it may continue to operate as an average schedule company after the transfer.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

12/22/09
Georgia PSC High-Cost Waiver: WCB seeks comment on a request by the Georgia Public Service Commission for waiver of the October 1, 2009 certification deadline for high-cost funds.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

12/22/09
Millenium Telecom Contribution Waiver: WCB seeks comment on Millennium Telecom’s petition to waive certain contribution deadlines and penalties, resulting from Millenium’s inadvertent overstatement of its interstate telecom revenues on its Feb 2009 Form 499-Q and misstatement of its contact information on its 2008 Form 499-A.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

12/22/09
RHCPP Extension Public Notice: WCB provides notice that requests to extend the June 30, 2010 RHCPP deadline, filed after the Bureau issued a public notice seeking comments on the North Carolina extension request, will be treated as ex parte comments on the pending proceeding.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

12/17/09
Joints Board Appointments Order: This order appoints Commissioners Clyburn and Baker to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and the Federal-State Joint Board on Separations, and appoints the two commissioners and Chairman Genachowski to the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications Services.
Order: Word | PDF

12/15/09
Qwest II- Tenth Circuit Remand: The Commission released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in response to the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (Tenth Circuit) in Qwest II, in which the court remanded the Commission’s rules for providing high-cost universal service support to non-rural carriers.
Further Notice for Proposed Rulemaking: Word | PDF

12/8/09
Clear World Communications Corporation: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Clear World Communications Corporation (Clear World) seeking review of a 2009 audit decision by USAC, in which USAC determined that, for calendar years 2005 and 2006, Clear World incorrectly allocated as international all of its revenue from monthly recurring charges and recovered its universal service contribution costs through line-item charges in excess of amounts permitted under the Commission’s rules. Comments are due January 7, 2010 and reply comments are due January 22, 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

12/8/09
National Cable & Telecommunications Association: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for rulemaking filed by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) proposing new rules for universal service high-cost support. Specifically, NCTA proposes that the Commission establish procedures to reduce the amount of universal service high-cost support provided to carriers in those areas of the country where there is extensive, unsubsidized facilities-based voice competition and where government subsidies no longer are needed to ensure that service will be made available to consumers. Comments are due January 7, 2010 and reply comments are due January 22, 2010.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

12/2/09
Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism. E-rate Funding Year 2010 Eligible Services List and Seeks Further Comment on Eligible Services: The report and order releases the Funding Year 2010 E-rate Eligible Service List, concluding that interconnected VoIP service is eligible and should continue to receive E-rate program funding. Additionally, the report and order clarifies the E-rate program eligibility of text messaging, video on-demand servers, ethernet, web hosting, wireless LAN controllers, VoIP-related services and requirements, and virtualization software. The report and order also clarifies that telephone broadcast messaging, unbundled warranties, power distribution units, softphones, interactive white boards and e-mail archiving are ineligible for universal service funding. The further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) tentatively concludes that firewall services, anti-virus/anti-spam software, scheduling services, web hosting, and wireless Internet access applications should not be eligible for E-rate funding. It also seeks comment on the tentative conclusion that eligible products and services should be listed in the ESL as opposed to being individually listed in the rules, and that USAC should be required to submit any proposed changes to the ESL to the Commission by March 30 of each year, instead of June 30, as currently required. The FNPRM also seeks comment on eliminating the requirement that the ESL be released by public notice. Comments are due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register and reply comments are due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word | PDF
Eligible Services List: Word | PDF

11/12/09
Comments sought on the health care delivery elements of the national broadband plan. The notice also seeks input relating to the universal service rural health care support mechanism and the rural health care Pilot Program, specifically as such programs may assist in the deployment and adoption of broadband services. Comments are due December 4, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

11/12/09
On October 7, 2009, the Commission released the following Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the effect of line loss on high-cost universal service support received pursuant to the Local Switching Support mechanism: High-Cost Universal Service Support, WC Docket No. 05-337, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 09-89 (rel. Oct. 7, 2009) (Local Switching Support One-Way Rule NPRM) The Commission set the comment and reply comment deadlines for this Notice as 14 and 21 days, respectively, after publication of the summary of the Notice in the Federal Register. On November 10, 2009, a summary of the Notice appeared in the Federal Register. Accordingly, comments will be due on November 24, 2009, and reply comments will be due on December 1, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

11/05/09
Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism: This notice of proposed rulemaking proposes revising the Commission’s rules for the E-rate program to comply with the requirements of the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. The Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act added a new certification requirement for elementary and secondary schools that have computers with Internet access and receive discounts under the E-rate program. The notice of proposed rulemaking also proposes to revise related Commission rules to reflect existing statutory language more accurately. Comments are due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register and reply comments are due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word | PDF

11/03/09
Public Notice: Comment Sought on Broadband Needs in Education, Including Changes to E-rate Program to Improve Broadband Deployment. Comments are due November 20, 2009 and reply comments are due December 11, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

11/02/09
Conexions LLC DBA Conexion Wireless: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Conexion Wireless seeking designation as an ETC in 8 states and D.C. for Lifeline program only. Comments are due December 2, 2009 and reply comments are due December 17, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

11/02/09
North Carolina Telehealth Network: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by the North Carolina TeleHealth Network for an extension of the June 30, 2010 deadline to file funding commitment requests under the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program. Comments are due December 2, 2009 and reply comments are due December 17, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

11/02/09
New ETC Docket: Wireline Competition Bureau announces a new docket for universal service ETC-related matters.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

11/02/09
Action Communications, Inc.: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Action Communications, Inc. (Action) for a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission's rules, which requires USAC to reimburse any monies due a carrier from the universal service rural health care mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier's universal service obligations. Action also requests that the Commission grant an expedited stay of USAC's decision which would allow Action to continue to receive monthly rural health care support disbursements pending the Commission's review of the instant waiver request. Comments are due November 16, 2009 and reply comments are due November 23, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

10/30/09
Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. Petition for Forebearance: The Wireline Competition Bureau approved a plan submitted by Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. for complying with conditions imposed in the Virgin Mobile ETC Order. Pursuant to the Bureau's action in this order, the conditional designations of Virgin Mobile as and ETC for the limited purpose of providing Lifeline service in its conditional designations of Virgin Mobile as an ETC for limited purpose of providing Lifeline service in its licensed service areas in New York, Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee are effective as of October 29, 2009.
Order: Word | PDF

10/21/09
TracFone Lifeline letter: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a letter from TracFone Wireless, Inc., which (1) asks the Commission to clarify whether its ruling that carriers can receive universal service Lifeline support for a single telephone line in an eligible consumer’s principal residence is intended to limit the availability of Lifeline-supported service to only one qualified low-income resident per homeless shelter, and (2) requests guidance on how eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may enroll residents of shelters in their Lifeline programs without risking violation of the “one-per-household” rule. WCB also seeks comment on the effects of the one-per-household rule for Lifeline support in the context of other types of group living facilities, such as nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, apartment buildings, trailer-home communities, halfway houses, and group homes. Finally, WCB requests comment on whether and how ETCs that provide Lifeline-supported service to homeless individuals who do not use shelters may comply with the one-per-household rule.
Order: Word | PDF

10/21/09
Via Talk Form 499-Q petition: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Via Talk, LLC’s request for review and reversal of a USAC decision that denied Via Talk’s request that USAC accept late filed revised FCC Forms 499-Q for November 2007, February 2008, and May 2008. The Form 499-Q is filed quarterly by carriers with projected revenues for the upcoming quarter. The Commission uses this information to calculate the quarterly universal service contribution factor for the following quarter. Contributors file an annual form, the FCC Form 499-A, with actual revenues from the previous year. USAC then conducts a true-up process between the projected revenues from the four Form 499-Q filings and the Form 499-A filing, and issues credits or invoices accordingly. Order: Word | PDF

10/21/09
Michigan Access ILEC petition: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Michigan Access, Inc. (Michigan Access) to be designated as an incumbent local exchange carrier (LEC) in two rural exchanges in Northeast Michigan, to participate in the National Exchange Carrier Association pools, to receive accelerated high-cost loop support, and to receive a waiver of certain filing deadlines to allow it to receive universal service support on an expedited basis. Michigan Access recognizes that Osirus Communications, Inc. and Allband Communications Cooperative have each previously filed petitions with the Commission also seeking incumbent LEC status for portions of these same areas; Michigan Access, however, petitions the Commission to designate it as an incumbent LEC irrespective of the Allband and Osirus petitions.
Order: Word | PDF

10/21/09
NECA and USAC proposed average schedule formulas: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on NECA's and USAC's proposed average schedule formulas for high-cost loop support and local switching support, respectively, for 2010. Each year the Commission must review and approve or modify any proposed modifications to the formulas used to calculate universal service high-cost loop support and local switching support for average schedule companies. Average schedule companies have been permitted by the Commission to estimate universal service support through the use of average schedule formulas to avoid the difficulties and expenses involved with conducting company-specific cost studies. Commission rules require that the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) file the formula modifications for high-cost loop support and that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) file the formula modifications for local switching support. On August 27, 2009, NECA filed its 2010 Modification of Average Schedule Universal Service High-Cost Loop Support Formula. On September 28, 2009, the USAC filed its 2010 Average Schedule Company Local Switching Support Formula. The proposed formulas, if approved, would be scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2010, and remain in effect through December 31, 2010. Please Note: We should release PN as soon as possible in order to have time to review any comments, replies, and release an order by December 31, 2009; the new formulas would take effect January 1, 2010.
Order: Word | PDF

10/21/09
Heller Information Services, Inc.: In this order, Telecommunications Access Policy Division grants a request filed by Heller Information Services, Inc. (Heller) to withdraw its petition, and, accordingly, dismisses Heller’s pleadings. Heller had requested review of USAC’s rejection of Heller’s revised 2003 FCC Form 499-A filing and the universal service contribution assessments that resulted from Heller’s original 2003 FCC Form 499-A filing. Heller had also requested that the Commission take expedited action on its request for review, and that all universal service contribution collection actions be held in abeyance pending final action on Heller’s request for review by the Commission.
Order: Word | PDF

10/21/09
Lazo Petition for Recon: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Lazo Technologies for reconsideration of a WCB E-rate order (DA 09-1797, rel. Aug. 12, 2009).
Order: Word | PDF

10/21/09
Integrity Petition for Recon: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Integrity Communications for reconsideration of a WCB E-rate order (DA 09-1946, rel. Aug. 28. 2009).
Order: Word | PDF

10/20/09
Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency, Tawas City, MI: The Division denies appeals of decisions by USAC by an applicant failing to pay the full non-discounted portion of the services received from its service provider and allowing its chosen service provider to act as a consultant during the competitive bidding process, both in violation of Commission rules.
Order: Word | PDF

10/20/09
Hancock County School District, New Cumberland, WV, et al.: The Division denies 7 appeals of USAC decisions denying E-rate funding on the grounds that the applicants sought discounts on telecommunications from non-eligible telecommunications carriers, in violation of Commission rules.
Order: Word | PDF

10/20/09
Hemet Unified School District, Hemet, CA: The Division grants an appeal of a USAC decision to deny a request for E-rate funding based on a late-filed request for an extension of the deadline for implementation of services.
Order: Word | PDF

10/20/09
Exigent Technologies, Parsippany, NJ: The Division denies an appeal of a USAC decision to seek recovery of E-rate funds. Exigent admitted to multiple violations of the rules, including improper service provider involvement in the competitive bidding process and failure to require applicants to pay the non-discounted portion of the price of services and equipment.
Order: Word | PDF

10/20/09
Eagle Hill School, Hardwick, MA, et al.: The Division denies 3 appeals of USAC decisions denying E-rate funding on the grounds that the applicants requested support for dormitory or residence rooms and for pre-K programs, neither of which was eligible for support.
Order: Word | PDF

10/20/09
Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV, et al.: The Division denies 3 appeals of USAC decisions denying E-rate funding for funding years 2004-2008 on the grounds that the applicants requested ineligible services. Specifically, the applicants sought funding for dark fiber service after funding year 2003, when dark fiber was no longer eligible for support.
Order: Word | PDF

10/20/09
Amy Biehl Charter High School, Albuquerque, NM, and Weld Library District, Greely, CO: The Division denies 2 requests for waiver of certain E-rate competitive bidding rules. The Division denies one request for waiver of the rule requiring the filing of an FCC Form 470 prior to entering into an agreement for services and another request for waiver of all E-rate filing deadlines.
Order: Word | PDF

10/20/09
Keyport School District, Keyport, NJ: The Division grants an appeal of a USAC decision to deny a request for E-rate funding based on USAC’s assessment that the applicant violated the Commission’s competitive bidding rules.
Order: Word | PDF

10/20/09
Hazelwood School District, Florissant, MO: The Division grants an appeal of a USAC decision to modify a request for E-rate funding based on USAC’s assessment that the services requested did not qualify as eligible services.
Order: Word | PDF

10/9/09
Local Switching Support Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM): In this order and NPRM the Commission denies the Coalition for Equity in Switching Support’s petition seeking clarification that the Commission’s rules allow an incumbent LEC ETC’s local switching support (LSS) to increase if the carrier’s access lines decrease below those thresholds. In the NPRM the Commission tentatively concludes that the LSS rules should be modified to permit incumbent LEC ETCs that lose lines to increase their LSS and seeks comment on these proposed rule changes.
Order and NPRM: Word | PDF

10/02/09
Centennial Interim Cap Deadline Waiver: In this order, the Bureau addresses a petition for waiver filed by Centennial Communications Corp. and its subsidiaries. Centennial requests that the Commission extend the deadline for submitting changes to the March 2008 data used to cap high-cost universal service support for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers. We dismiss Centennial’s petition for waiver as moot.
Order: Word | PDF

10/02/09
Centennial PRTC ICLS: In this order, the Bureau denies the request of Centennial Communications Corp. for reversal of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to recover universal service interstate common line support (ICLS) from Centennial. As a result of USAC's retroactive downward adjustment to Puerto Rico Telephone Company's (PRTC) ICLS for 2004 and 2005, USAC retroactively reduced Centennial's ICLS for the same period due to the identical support rule contained in section 54.307(a)(1) of the Commission rules. PRTC is the incumbent local exchange carrier in Puerto Rico. Centennial claims that USAC's decision to recover a portion of Centennial's ICLS was inappropriate because it was based on PRTC's late-filed data. The Bureau finds that USAC acted properly and within its authority to adjust Centennial’s ICLS payments pursuant to the requirements in section 54.307(a)(1) of the Commission’s rules.
Order: Word | PDF

9/28/09
Columbus Telephone High-Cost Waiver Petition: In this Public Notice, Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Columbus Telephone Company for waiver of the March 31, 2008 filing deadline for Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS). Comments are due October 28, 2009, and reply comments are due November 12, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9/28/09
Skylink High-Cost Waiver Petition: In this Public Notice, Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Skylink L.C. for waiver of the December 30, 2008 line count filing deadlines for high-cost support and Interstate Access Support (IAS). Comments are due October 28, 2009, and reply comments are due November 12, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9/28/09
AT&T Petition Regarding USF Contribution Reform: In this Public Notice concerning AT&T's petition seeking immediate Commission action to reform the universal service contribution methodology, WCB announces that the petition will be treated as an ex parte filing in the open rulemaking proceeding seeking comment on comprehensive universal service and intercarrier compensation reform.  
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9/28/09
USAC Board Nominations: In this Public Notice, Wireline Competition Bureau seeks nominations for the six USAC Board positions that expire at the end of the year.  The six positions are:  ILECs with annual operating revenues in excess of $40M; state telecom regulators; IXCs with more than $3B in annual operating revenues (revenue requirement currently waived); information service providers; eligible rural health care providers; and eligible schools.  Pursuant to section 54.703(c)(1) of the Commission's rules, nominations are due November 1.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9/28/09
Form 498 – Mandatory Electronic Disbursement of USF Payments: In this Public Notice, Wireline Competition Bureau provides notice that, pursuant to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, all universal service support payments shall be made by electronic funds transfer.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9/28/09
Stratos Petition for Declaratory Ruling: In this Public Notice, Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for declaratory ruling or clarification filed by Stratos Government Services, Inc. (Stratos). Stratos asks the Commission to confirm that entities that provide interstate services exclusively to public safety or government entities are exempt from contributing to the universal service fund. Specifically, Stratos states that the Commission has not explicitly addressed whether the existing exemption is available only to companies that act exclusively as a prime contractor, or if it also available to companies who sell exclusively to government end users either as a prime contractor or subcontractor.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9/28/09
Rural Health Care Pilot Program Quarterly Reports: In this Public Notice, Wireline Competition Bureau reminds Rural Health Care Pilot Program participants that quarterly reports are due October 30.  In addition, we remind participants of specific information which must be included in the reports.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9/28/09
ComScape Form 499-Q Waiver Petition: In this Public Notice, Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by ComScape Telecommunications requesting waiver of the filing deadline for revision of its May 2009 FCC Form 499-Q. (The Form 499-Q is filed quarterly by carriers with projected revenues for the upcoming quarter. The Commission uses this information to calculate the quarterly universal service contribution factor for the following quarter. Contributors file an annual form, the FCC Form 499-A, with actual revenues from the previous year. USAC then conducts a true-up process between the projected revenues from the four Form 499-Q filings and the Form 499-A filing, and issues credits or invoices accordingly.)
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9/28/09
Ad Hoc Coalition of International Telecom Companies Petition for Declaratory Ruling: In this Public Notice, Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for declaratory ruling filed by the Ad Hoc Coalition of International Telecommunications Companies. The Ad Hoc Coalition requests that the Commission issue a declaratory ruling that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) lacks authority to indirectly assess universal service contribution assessments on international-only providers. In addition, the Coalition requests that the Commission declare that it lacks jurisdiction over certain non-U.S. international providers.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9/28/09
USAC Request for WCB Guidance: In this Public Notice, Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on requests filed by USAC for guidance from WCB on several policy issues related to the universal service high-cost support mechanism and contribution methodology.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9/23/09
USAC Board Appointments: Chairman Genachowski announces the selection of Ellis Jacobs, as representative for low-income consumers, and Scott K. Bergmann, as representative, for CMRS providers, to fill two vacancies on the USAC Board of Directors.  Each was the only nominee for their respective seats.
Public Notice: Word | PDF
Letter: Word | PDF

8/28/09
Integrity Communications, Ltd. Corpus Christi, TX: In this order, the Bureau denies the request for review of Integrity Communications, Ltd. (Integrity), finding that USAC acted consistent with its policies in requiring Integrity to file a compliance plan and suspending funding.
Order: Word | PDF

8/17/09
Howe Independent School District 67, Howe, Oklahoma: Telecommunications Access Policy Division denies an appeal of a USAC decision that rescinded E-rate funding already committed to the Howe Independent School District 67 (Howe ISD) for discounted services for Funding Year 2004.  The order finds that Howe ISD requested ineligible services and directs USAC to continue its commitment adjustment recovery actions regarding this matter.
Order: Word | PDF

8/17/09
Global Crossing Bandwidth, Inc.: Wireline Competition Bureau denies requests filed by Global Crossing seeking review of USAC’s February 15, 2007 audit and appealing invoices submitted to Global Crossing based on the audit report. The order finds that the record does not support Global Crossing’s contention that it reasonably expected customers to directly contribute to the universal service fund as resellers, and therefore finds that USAC’s assessment of contributions on Global Crossing based on revenue from these non-contributing customers was proper.
Order: Word | PDF

8/13/09
TeleQuality Communications, Inc.: Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request by TeleQuality Communications, Inc. (TeleQuality) to waive section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules concerning reimbursement for services provided under the universal service rural health care support mechanism. We find that TeleQuality has demonstrated that good cause exists to waive this rule because, absent waiver, TeleQuality will be unable to sustain its operations and will be unable to provide discounted telecommunications services to the rural health care providers it serves. In this order, WCB also directs USAC to make an initial reimbursement payment no later than 10 calendar days from release of this order to TeleQuality for the current rural health care support payments to which it is entitled without deducting any universal service contributions that TeleQuality may owe. USAC shall also remit to TeleQuality any additional subsequent rural health care payments on a bi-monthly basis.
Order: Word | PDF

8/12/09
Lazo Technologies, Inc., et al.: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies a request for review filed by Lazo Technologies, Inc., Hill Professional Services, and Advanced Technology Solutions South (collectively, petitioners) of a decision by USAC denying payment for work performed by the petitioners for the Dallas Independent School District under the E-rate program after concluding that the underlying contract for E-rate services violated the Commission’s competitive bidding requirements and program rules. The Bureau affirms USAC’s decision and finds that USAC properly denied the petitioners’ request for payments.
Order: Word | PDF

8/12/09
Juniata Valley Network and Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Alliance: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a merger request from two participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, the Juniata Valley Network (JVN) and Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Alliance and its designated agent, Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Resource Development (collectively PMHA).
Order: Word | PDF

8/10/09
Panora Communications Cooperative and Prairie Telephone Company Inc. Study Area Waiver Petition: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a joint petition filed by Panora Communications Cooperative (Panora) and Prairie Telephone Co., Inc. (Prairie) for waiver of the Commission's study area boundary freeze. Specifically, Panora and Prairie seek a waiver to remove 35 access lines from Prairie’s Iowa study area and include those access lines in Panora’s Iowa study area. Comments are due September 9, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 24, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

8/10/09
General Communications, Inc. High-Cost Waiver : Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by General Communications, Inc. for waiver of the December 30, 2008 and March 30, 2009 line count filing deadlines for high-cost support. Comments are due September 9, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 24, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

8/10/09
Network Enhanced Telecom : Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Network Enhanced Telecom’s request for review of a USAC audit, in which USAC determined that revenues from Network Enhanced Telecom’s software service platform should be treated as prepaid card revenues for purposes of USF contributions. Comments are due September 9, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 24, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

8/10/09
Conexions LLC ETC Forbearance : Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Conexions’ petition for forbearance from the facilities-based requirement in order to be eligible for designation as an ETC for Lifeline support. Comments are due September 9, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 24, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

8/10/09
Rural Health Care Pilot Program Form 466-A Deadline Waiver : Wireline Competition Bureau establishes June 30, 2010 as the filing deadline for Form 466-A (Funding Commitment Requests) for the second funding year of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

8/10/09
Lifeline Verification & Certification : Wireline Competition Bureau reminds ETCs of the Aug. 31, 2009 deadline for their submission of annual Lifeline verification surveys and certifications and on August 31 of each subsequent year thereafter, attesting that the ETC has complied with the state verification procedures.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

8/10/09
Nebraska PSC and Kansas Corporation Commission Nomadic VoIP contributions to state USF : Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a filing by the Nebraska PSC and the Kansas Corporation Commission (Petitioners), requesting a declaratory ruling that the Commission has not preempted states from assessing universal service charges on the intrastate revenues of providers of “nomadic” interconnected VoIP services. In addition, the Petitioners request that the Commission declare that individual states have discretion to adopt any mechanisms that do not assess interstate revenues and that contain procedures designed to ensure that no provider pays assessments to more than one state on the same intrastate revenues. In the alternative, if the Commission does not issue declaratory rulings, the Petitioners ask that the Commission propose and adopt rules to allow states to assess universal service charges on the intrastate revenues of nomadic interconnected VoIP providers. Comments are due September 9, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 24, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/31/09
Carryover of Unused Federal Universal Service Funds for Funding Year 2009: In this order, the Bureau announces that $900 million in prior unused E-rate funds will be carried forward to increase disbursements to schools and libraries in Funding Year 2009.
Order: Word | PDF

7/31/09
North Carolina TeleHealth Network, Albemarle Health, Western Carolina University, and University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a merger request from four participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, NCTN, Albemarle, WCU, and UHS, to merge their respective Pilot Program projects and designate NCTN as the successor to Albermarle, WCU, and UHS.
Order: Word | PDF

7/21/09
Minford Local Schools, Minford, OH: The Telecommunications Access Policy Division (the Division) grants a request for waiver filed by Minford Local Schools (Minford) of the FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline for funding year 2008 under the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism consistent with the relief given to Minford by the Division in the Acorn Public Library District Order.
Order: Word | PDF

7/21/09
Advantage Cellular Systems Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Advantage Cellular Systems, Inc., a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier, seeking to receive universal service high-cost support based on the own-costs exception in the Commission's Interim Cap Order. The Bureau also issued a protective order for any parties that want to review Advantage Cellular's cost information, for which it seeks confidential treatment. Comments on the request are due August 20, 2009, and reply comments are due September 4, 2009. Public Notice: Word | PDF Protective Order: Word | PDF

7/21/09
Huron Mountain Communications Company: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Huron Mountain Communications Co. (Huron) for waiver of the Commission’s rules to participate in the National Exchange Carrier Association pools and to obtain accelerated universal service support. Huron intends to provide telecommunications services to an unserved area located in the upper peninsula of the state of Michigan. Comments are due August 20, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 4, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/21/09
Mobi PCS, Inc. and Cricket Communications, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Mobi PCS, Inc. and Cricket Communications, Inc. for guidance regarding permissible implementations of Section 54.307(b) of the Commission’s rules. Specifically, petitioners request guidance on how competitive ETCs should report lines pursuant to Section 54.307(b) when a customer’s billing address contains a Post Office Box rather than a street address. Comments are due August 20, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 4, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/21/09
AT&T Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by AT&T (Louisiana, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico) regarding the results of an Improper Payments Information Act (IPIA) high-cost support audit for the period of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. Specifically, AT&T seeks review of USAC's findings that AT&T was in material noncompliance because of inaccurate line count filings which resulted in adjustments exceeding a $100,000 quantitative materiality threshold. Comments are due August 20, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 4, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/21/09
BitWise Communications, Inc. a/k/a OmniLEC (BitWise): TThe Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by BitWise Communications, Inc. a/k/a OmniLEC seeking review and reversal of three decisions of USAC, in which USAC denied BitWise’s requests to amend its 2006, 2007, and 2008 FCC Forms 499-A more than one year past the filing deadlines. Comments are due August 20, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 4, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/21/09
West River/Midcontinent High-Cost waivers petition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on: (i) a request by West River Telecommunications Cooperative for waiver of the December 31, 2008 true-up data filing deadline for local switching support (LSS); and (ii) a request by Midcontinent Communications for waiver of the September 30, 2008 line count filing deadline for high-cost support. Comments are due August 20, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 4, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/21/09
Alabama Commercial Mobile Radio Service Emergency Telephone Services Board: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the Alabama Commercial Mobile Radio Service Emergency Telephone Services Board asking the Commission to reject TracFone Wireless Inc.'s ETC self-certification. Comments are due August 20, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 4, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/21/09
Windy City/Pine Belt High-Cost waivers petitions: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on: (i) a request by Pine Belt Cellular, Inc., a competitive ETC in Alabama, for waiver of the October 1, 2008 annual certification filing deadline for high-cost interstate common line support (ICLS); and (ii) a request by Windy City Cellular, LLC, a competitive ETC in Alaska, for waiver of the 60-day deadline set forth in section 54.307(d) of the Commission’s rules for high-cost loop support (HCLS), local switching support (LSS), and ICLS. Comments are due August 20, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 4, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/21/09
Achilles Networks: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Achilles Networks requesting waiver of the late fees associated with its December 2008 filing of its FCC Form 499-A. Comments are due August 20, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 4, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/21/09
Consumer Cellular, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Consumer Cellular’s Petition for Forbearance from the facilities-based requirement in order to be eligible for designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) for Lifeline support only. Comments are due August 20, 2009 and Reply Comments are due September 4, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/21/09
USAC Board Nominations: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks nominations for the two vacant board member positions on the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Board of Directors (for commercial mobile radio service providers and for low-income consumers). Nominations are due August 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

7/02/09
Cellular Properties Service Area Redefinition: The Wireline Competition Bureau initiated a proceeding to examine the request of Cellular Properties, Inc. to redefine the service area of Wabash Telephone Cooperative, Inc. in Illinois. Comments are due July 16, 2009 and reply comments are due July 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/10/09
Centennial Michigan RSA 6 Cellular Corp. and Centennial Michigan RSA 7 Cellular Corp.: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies a request for review filed in 2005 by Centennial Michigan RSA 6 Cellular Corp. and Centennial Michigan RSA 7 Cellular Corp. (Centennial). In its request, Centennial asked the Commission to reverse a USAC decision to recover universal service high-cost support funds. We find that USAC properly recovered funds that were disbursed to Centennial prior to the Commission's approval of the redefinition of the study areas of certain rural incumbent local exchange carriers.
Order: Word | PDF

6/10/09
Centennial Communications Corp.: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies a request filed by Centennial Communications Corp. for waivers of the September 30, 2005, June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007, filing deadlines for universal service Interstate Access Support (IAS) set forth in section 54.802(a) of the Commission's rules. Centennial argues that it was confused by the language in its Louisiana ETC designation order, which was granted in March 2004, and therefore did not file IAS annual certifications or line counts until February 2008. Centennial seeks a waiver to permit it to receive IAS funds for the first and second quarters of 2008, and a further waiver to permit it to receive retroactive payments beginning October 1, 2005 through the end of 2007. The order provides that even though we deny Centennial’s request for waiver, the amount of IAS that Centennial would have been able to receive in March 2008 if it had not missed the filing deadlines will be included in the capped level of support available to competitive ETCs in Louisiana pursuant to the Commission’s Interim Cap Order.
Order: Word | PDF

06/08/2009
Virginia Cellular ETC Relinquishment Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau accepts the relinquishment of the eligible telecommunications carrier designation of Virginia Cellular, LLC in the Williamsville wire center in the study area of MGW Telephone Company in Virginia.
Order: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
TracFone Lifeline Petition to Modify Lifeline Head of Household: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a TracFone petition to modify a condition (imposed by the Commission’s designation of TracFone) that TracFone must require each of its Lifeline customers to annually self-certify that they are the head of their household and receive Lifeline-supported service only from TracFone. Specifically, TracFone requests that it be allowed to verify annually that its Lifeline customers are heads of households and receive Lifeline-supported service only from TracFone through use of a statistically valid sample of those customers. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
TracFone Lifeline Tier 1 Petition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by TracFone in which TracFone requests that it be allowed to receive Tier One Lifeline support in the amount of $6.50 per month per Lifeline customer in all service areas where it operates as en eligible telecommunications carrier, provided that TracFone: (1) passes through the full amount of its federal Lifeline support to its Lifeline customers; and (2) provides each of its Lifeline customers with an additional monthly Lifeline benefit of $3.50. This petition for waiver seeks the same relief that TracFone is seeking in a petition for rulemaking that it recently filed. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
Head Start ETC Forbearance Petition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Head Start's petition for forbearance from the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) facilities requirement for designation as a limited ETC eligible for low-income support. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
i-wireless ETC Forbearance Petition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on i-wireless's petition for forbearance from the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) facilities requirement for designation as a limited ETC eligible for low-income support. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
TeleQuality Communications Waiver Request: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by TeleQuality Communications, seeking a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules, which requires that USAC reimburse any monies due a carrier from the universal service rural health care support mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier’s universal service support obligations. TeleQuality also requests that the Commission grant an expedited stay of USAC’s decision, allowing TeleQuality to continue to receive bi-monthly rural health care support disbursements pending the Commission’s review of the instant waiver request. Comments are due June 19, 2009 and reply comments are due June 26, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
Alexicon Petition to Change FCC Form 499 Deadline: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Alexicon’s petition to change the filing date for the annual Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-A) from April 1st to September 1st. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
Accipiter/Qwest Joint Petition for Study Area Waiver: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a joint petition filed by Accipiter and Qwest for a study area waiver in Arizona. On April 30, 2009, Accipiter Communication, Inc. d/b/a Zona Communications (Accipiter) and Qwest Corporation (Qwest) filed a joint petition for waiver of the study area boundary freeze as codified in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the Commission’s rules. The requested waiver would permit Accipiter and Qwest to exchange territories and add those exchanged territories to their existing study areas in Arizona. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
WorldNet Telecommunications, Inc. Request for Waiver: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by WorldNet Telecommunications, Inc., a CETC in Puerto Rico, for waiver of the December 30, 2008 line count filing deadline for Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS). Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
Long Lines and OTZ High-Cost Waiver Requests: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on: (i) a request by Long Lines Wireless, LLC for waiver of the September 30, 2008 line count filing deadlines for High-Cost Model Support and Interstate Access Support (IAS); and (ii) a request by OTZ Telecommunications, Inc. for waiver of the December 30, 2008 and March 30, 2009 line count filing deadlines for high cost support. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
AT&T Lifeline Audit Petition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on AT&T’s petition regarding USAC’s Lifeline audit of AT&T. In its petition, AT&T seeks review of USAC’s findings that: (1) USAC should recover toll limitation service (TLS) support from AT&T because AT&T cannot supply documentation detailing its incremental cost of providing TLS to its Lifeline customers; (2) AT&T was required to advertise to its Lifeline customers toll blocking and all other services supported by federal universal service support mechanisms; and (3) AT&T was required to populate Line 9 of FCC Form 497 (the Lifeline and Link-Up Worksheet) with pro-rata dollars attributable to Lifeline subscribers that entered or exited the Lifeline program mid-month. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
Verizon and Hospital Network Management Request: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on requests for review filed by Verizon and Hospital Network Management, seeing reversal of USAC’s decision to seek recovery from Verizon of universal service rural health care funds relating to services it performed for HNM. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

06/05/2009
North Carolina RHCPP Merger Request: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request to merge four participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program: the North Carolina TeleHealth Network (NCTN); Albemarle Health (Albemarle); Western Carolina University (WCU); and University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina (UHS). Comments are due June 19, 2009 and reply comments are due June 26, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

6/3/09
Cook Telecom, Inc.: The Telecommunications Access Policy Division grants Cook Telecom, Inc.’s request for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) rejecting Cook’s initial FCC Form 457 filing, and directs USAC to accept Cook’s revised FCC Form 457 filing dated December 2, 1997.
Order: Word | PDF

06/02/2009
E-rate Eligible Services List: Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on Proposed Funding Year 2010 E-rate Eligible Services List.
Public Notice: PDF | Text

5/12/09
Judy Green: The Commission debar Judy Green from all activities associated with the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism.
Notice of Debarment: Word | PDF

5/7/09
Ad Hoc Coalition Petition for Declaratory Ruling: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for declaratory ruling filed by the Ad Hoc Coalition of International Telecommunications Companies’ (Coalition) regarding universal service contributions. Comments are due June 8, 2009 and reply comments are due June 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/7/09
Spectrotel Contributor Appeal: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Spectrotel seeking review of a USAC decision to deny a waiver of fees associated with its late-filed August, 2008 FCC Form 499-Q. Comments are due June 8, 2009 and reply comments are due June 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/7/09
Masergy Contributor Appeal: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Masergy seeking clarification or review of the decision to include Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) in the FCC Form 499 Instructions. Comments are due June 8, 2009 and reply comments are due June 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/7/09
Aspire Contributor Appeal: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Aspire Telecom, Inc. seeking waiver of the 45-day FCC Form 499-Q revision window. Comments are due June 8, 2009 and reply comments are due June 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/6/09
Rural Health Care Pilot Program Pennsylvania Merger: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request to merge two participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program, Juniata Valley Network and Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Resource Development. Comments are due May 20, 2009 and reply comments are due May 27, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/6/09
inContact Contributor Appeal: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by inContact, Inc. seeking waiver of contribution fees assessed by USAC in 2009 based on adjustments to inContact’s 2004 FCC Form 499-A. Comments are due June 5, 2009 and reply comments are due June 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/6/09
DTS NECA and Universal Service Support Waiver Petition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by DTS of California seeking a waiver to allow DTS to become a member of the National Exchange Carrier Association and to immediately receive universal service high-cost loop support initially based on its forecasted costs rather than its historical costs. Comments are due June 5, 2009 and reply comments are due June 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/6/09
Virgin Mobile ETC Compliance Plan: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the compliance plan filed by Virgin Mobile USA L.P., in which Virgin Mobile seeks to comply with the conditions set out in the order granting it forbearance and designating it as an eligible telecommunications carrier. Comments are due June 5, 2009 and reply comments are due June 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/6/09
Pennsylvania PUC TracFone/Virgin Mobile Petition for Reconsideration: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission seeking reconsideration or clarification of the Commission’s TracFone Modification Order and Virgin Mobile Forbearance Order. Comments are due June 5, 2009 and reply comments are due June 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/4/09
Smith Bagley, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Smith Bagley seeking an increase to Tier Four of the Universal Service Low-Income Program from $25 per month to $30 per month. Comments are due June 3, 2009 and reply comments are due June 18, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/4/09
Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Posting of Cost Model: The Wireline Competition Bureau announces that the publicly-available version of the High-Cost Proxy Model on the FCC's website has been updated to work with the Commission's current computer operating systems (Microsoft Windows XP Operating System, Service Pack 2 or greater, and Microsoft Office Suite 2003, Service Pack 3 or greater).
Public Notice: Word | PDF

5/1/09
Verizon Wireless FCC Form 499 Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a petition by Verizon Wireless seeking limited waiver of certain FCC Form 499 revenue filing requirements related to its mergers with Alltel and Rural Cellular Corporation. Specifically, Verizon Wireless is granted a limited waiver to allow it to report revenues for all affiliated companies using a weighted average of actual and safe harbor revenues until December 31, 2009.
Order: Word | PDF

4/28/09
Qwest Corporation and Pine Telephone Systems, Inc. Combined Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a joint request filed by Qwest Corporation (Qwest), Pine Telephone Systems, Inc. (Pine), and Oregon Telephone Corporation (Oregon Telephone) for waivers of the study area boundary freeze codified in the Appendix-Glossary of Part 36 of the Commission's rules.
Order: Word | PDF

4/21/09
Centennial USVI High-Cost Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau acts on a request from Centennial USVI Operations Corp. for a waiver of high-cost universal service support filing deadlines.
Order: Word | PDF

4/21/09
Northeast Iowa High-Cost Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request by ICORE, Inc. on behalf of Northeast Iowa Telephone Company for a waiver of the data submission reporting deadline for local switching universal service support.
Order: Word | PDF

4/21/09
Xfone High-Cost Waiver Order:: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants in part and denies in part a request filed by Xfone USA, Inc. for waivers of high-cost universal service support filing deadlines.
Order: Word | PDF

4/21/09
LBH et al. High-Cost Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies three requests, filed by LBH, LLC; Knology of the Black Hills, LLC; and USCOC of Cumberland Inc. Hardy Cellular Telephone Company for waivers of high-cost universal service support filing deadlines.
Order: Word | PDF

4/21/09
Grande Communications Networks et al. High-Cost Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau acts on nine requests for waivers of various high-cost universal service support filing deadlines filed by Grande Communications Networks, Inc.; Hardy Telecommunications, Inc.; iBroadband Network, Inc.; IT&E Overseas, Inc.; Micronesian Telecommunications Company; Pattersonville Telephone Company; PTI Pacifica, Inc.; Texas RSA 8 South Limited Partnership dba Westex Wireless; and Thumb Cellular, LLC.
Order: Word | PDF

4/16/09
Rural Health Care Pilot Program Texas Projects Merger: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request from two participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, the Texas Healthcare Network (THN) and the Texas Health Information Network Collaborative (THINC), to merge their respective Pilot Program projects and designate THINC as the successor to THN’s Pilot Program project.
Order: Word | PDF

4/14/09
Albert Lea Area Schools, Albert Lea, Minnesota, et al: The Telecommunications Access Policy Division grants 39 appeals and denies 31 appeals of decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company denying requests for funding under the schools and libraries universal service mechanism for funding years 1999 through 2008 due to the applicant's failure to comply with the Commission's 28-day competitive bidding requirement.
Order: Word | PDF

4/10/09
The Wireline Competition Bureau released the FCC Form 499-Q and accompanying instructions. The instructions incorporate nonsubstantive clarifications to ensure that all contributors are properly reporting revenues and are treating similar revenues uniformly.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

4/10/09
TracFone Wireless, Inc. Request for Waiver of Section 54.418 of the Commission's Rules: Granted a request from TracFone Wireless, Inc. for a conditional waiver of section 54.418 of the Commission's rules, which requires ETCs to notify their Lifeline and Link-Up customers about the DTV transition.
Order: Word | PDF

4/9/09
Corr Wireless Request for Review: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Corr Wireless Communication's (Corr) request for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Corporation (USAC). Corr challenges USAC’s failure to include universal service high-cost support funds disclaimed by ALLTEL and Verizon in connection with their merger last year in the pool of funds available for distribution under the competitive eligible telecommunications carrier interim cap on high-cost universal service support. Comments are due May 11, 2009 and reply comments are due May 26, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

4/8/09
Twin Valley Telephone, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) grants Twin Valley's request to withdraw its application for review of the Bureau's prior decision to deny Twin Valley's petition for clarification or expedited waiver of Section 54.305 of the Commission's rules.
Order: Word | PDF

4/8/09
High Cost Non-Rural Support Notice of Inquiry: The Commission seeks to refresh the record regarding the issues raised by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (Tenth Circuit) in the Qwest II decision. In that decision the Tenth Circuit invalidated the Commission’s high-cost universal service support mechanism for non-rural carriers, which determines the amount of support to be provided to each state by comparing the statewide average forward-looking cost per line for non-rural carriers to a nationwide cost benchmark. Comments are due May 8, 2009 and reply comments are due June 8, 2009.
Notice of Inquiry: Word | PDF

4/3/09
Cellular Properties, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Cellular Properties, Inc., pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules, requesting the Commission’s agreement with the decision of the Illinois Commerce Commission to redefine the service area of Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company. Comments are due on the petition May 4, 2009 and reply comments are due May 19, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

4/3/09
Cellular Properties, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Cellular Properties, Inc., pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules, requesting the Commission’s agreement with the decision of the Illinois Commerce Commission to redefine the service area of Wabash Telephone Cooperative Inc. Comments are due on the petition May 4, 2009 and reply comments are due May 19, 2009
Public Notice: Word | PDF

4/2/09
Schools and Libraries, Letter Approving Funding Year 2009 PIA Procedures: In this letter, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) notifies the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that the Bureau has approved the Schools and Libraries Funding Year 2009 Program Integrity Assurance FCC Form 471 Review procedures.
Letter: Word | PDF

4/1/09
Universal Service Administrative Company: Wireline Competition Bureau provides letter to USAC concerning FCC Form 499-A Instructions and universal service contribution obligations.
Letter: Word | PDF

3/30/09
Kouso Communications, LLC: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Kouso's request for waiver of late fees associated with the late filing of 2008 FCC Form 499-A. Comments are due April 29, 2009 and reply comments are due May 14, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/30/09
Ready Telecom, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Ready Telecom, Inc. seeking review of a USAC decision in which USAC denied Ready Telecom's request to amend its May 2008 FCC Form 499-Q filing. Comments on the request are due April 29, 2009 and reply comments are due May 14, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/30/09
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency TracFone Certification Petition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency asking the Commission to reject TracFone Wireless, Inc.'s certification of compliance with all Pennsylvania 911 and E911 obligations. Comments on the petition are due April 29, 2009 and reply comments are due May 14, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/30/09
Pelzer Communication Corporation Universal Service Contributions Request: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Pelzer Communications' request seeking review of USAC's decision declining to accept Pelzer's revised February 2007 FCC Form 499-Q filing. Comments on the request are due April 29, 2009 and reply comments are due May 14, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/30/09
Minerva Valley Telephone Company High-Cost Waiver: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition by Minerva Telephone Company, an incumbent local exchange carrier in Iowa, for waiver of the June 30, 2008 annual certification filing deadline for universal service interstate common line support. Comments on the petition are due April 29, 2009 and reply comments are due May 14, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
Ascent Media Group: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Ascent Media Group petition for reconsideration of the Wireline Competition Bureau's order dismissing Ascent's request for review of the Universal Service Administrative Company decision. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
Coalition for Equity in Switching Support: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the petition of the Coalition for Equity in Switching Support for Clarification of Sections 36.125 and 54.301 of the Commission's rules concerning local switching Universal Service Support. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
CalTel Inc., CalTel Inc. of North Carolina, and South Bell Payphones, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on CalTel Inc., CalTel Inc. of North Carolina, and South Bell Payphones, Inc. requests for review seeking review and reversal of late fees assessed by the Universal Service Administrative Company for their late-filed 2008 FCC Forms 499-A. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
Midstate Telecom, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Midstate Telecom, Inc. seeking waiver of filing deadlines associated with the receipt of universal service funds, pursuant to sections 54.307(c) and 54.802(a) of the Commission's rules. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
Sunshine Community Health Center Rural Health Care: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Sunshine Community Health Center seeking review and reversal of a USAC decision which substantially reduced Sunshine's funding request for funding year 2006 under the rural health care support mechanism. Sunshine argues that USAC incorrectly rejected funding for connections originating in Alaska and terminating in Seattle, Washington. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
Via Talk, LLC Contributor Appeal: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Via Talk seeking review and reversal of a USAC decision denying Via Talk's request to accept its amended 2007 FCC Form 499-A, which was filed more than one year past the filing deadline. Via Talk requests that the Commission correct the amount of Via Talk's universal service debt and allow Via Talk to enter into a payment extension plan for the debt. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
Hargray Telephone Company High-Cost Waivers: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Hargray Telephone Company, a South Carolina ILEC, for waiver of the October 1, 2006 and October 1, 2007 projected-data filing deadlines for local switching support (LSS). Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
General Communication, Inc. Declaratory Ruling Regarding CETC Wireless Lines: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by GCI for a declaratory ruling finding that its wireless subsidiaries in Alaska: (i) are correctly reporting prepaid wireless lines based on a local address or point of sale address; and (ii) are correctly reporting wireless business lines based on the address to which a service invoice is sent rather than a separate or third-party address from where payments are processed. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
T-Mobile USA, Inc. Universal Service Fund High-Cost Waiver: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by T-Mobile for a waiver of the December 30, 2008 line count filing deadline to allow it to receive universal service high-cost support. This petition does not affect the amount of support available to competitive ETCs pursuant to the Interim Cap Order because it does not affect support received in March 2008. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
Centennial Communications Corp. Interim Cap Data Deadline Waiver: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Centennial Communications Corp. and its subsidiaries seeking a waiver of the December 31, 2008 deadline for submitting to USAC changes to the March 2008 data on which interim universal service high-cost capped support is based. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
10D Telecom, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by 10D Telecom for a waiver of late fees assessed by USAC due to 10D Telecom's late-filing of its 2008 FCC Form 499-A. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/19/09
Eagle Telephone System, Inc. and Midvale Telephone Exchange, Incorporated Study Area Waiver: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a joint petition for waiver of the study area boundary freeze filed by Eagle Telephone System and Midvale Telephone Exchange. Eagle and Midvale seek a waiver of the study area boundary freeze to remove territory from Midvale's Idaho study area and recognize such territory as part of Eagle's Oregon study area. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/13/09
Texas Healthcare Network and Texas Health Information Network Collaborative: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request to merge two participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program, Texas Healthcare Network (THN) and Texas Health Information Network Collaborative(THINC). Comments are due by March 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by March 24, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/13/09
Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Redefinition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc., pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules, requesting the Commission’s agreement with the decision of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission to redefine the service areas of certain rural local exchange carriers. Comments are due by April 13, 2009 and reply comments are due by April 28, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | PDF

3/5/09
Virgin Mobile Conditional Forbearance and Lifeline ETC Order: The Commission conditionally granted a petition filed by Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. (Virgin Mobile) seeking forbearance from the requirement that a carrier designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) provide services, at least in part, over its own facilities. The Commission granted Virgin Mobile forbearance for ETC designation for Lifeline universal service support only. The Commission also conditionally designated Virgin Mobile an ETC for Lifeline support only in New York, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Order: Word | PDF

3/5/09
TracFone PSAP Forbearance Condition Modification Order: The Commission modified a forbearance condition imposed on TracFone Wireless, Inc. as a requirement that TracFone must meet prior to receiving support under the Lifeline universal service program. Specifically, TracFone must request a certification from each public safety answering point (PSAP) where it provides Lifeline service confirming that TracFone provides its customers with access to basic and E911 service; however, if, within 90 days of TracFone's request a PSAP has not provided the certification and the PSAP has not made an affirmative finding that TracFone does not provide its customers with access to 911 and E911 service within the PSAP's service area, TracFone may self-certify that it meets the basic and E911 requirements..
Order: Word | PDF

3/5/09
Competitive ETC Interim Cap Alaska Native Regions/Tribal Lands Exception Waiver Order: The Commission waives on its own motion the limitation on the availability of uncapped high-cost universal service support for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) serving tribal lands or Alaska Native regions (Covered Locations). Specifically, for the period in which the interim cap is in effect, the Commission waives the restriction in paragraph 33 of the Interim Cap Order limiting the availability of uncapped per line support to competitive ETCs serving Covered Locations "to one payment per each residential account.".
Order: Word | PDF

2/27/09
U.S. Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. High-Cost Abeyance Request: This letter directs USAC to hold in abeyance until May 31, 2009, any adjustments in universal service fund high-cost loop support for the Virgin Islands Telephone Corporation.
Letter: Word | PDF

2/27/09
RCC Minnesota (Verizon Wireless) relinquishment of New Hampshire ETC Status: The Wireline Competition Bureau accepts the reliquishment of the eligible telelcommunications carrier (ETC) designation of RCC Minnesota in the state of New Hampshire.
Order: Word | PDF

2/27/09
Updated FCC Form 499-A Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau released a public notice announcing the release of the updated FCC Form 499-A, which carriers file annually on April 1 with USAC. The public notice identifies non-substantive changes and clarifications to the instructions for filing the FCC Form 499-A.
Letter: Word | PDF

1/16/09
Schools and Libraries Program, "Table C" recovery Issues: Responded to the outstanding policy issues regarding recovery of funds in the schools and libraries universal service program, also known as the E-rate program, on which USAC has sought formal guidance from the Commission.
Letter: Word | PDF | text