Wireline Bureau Clarifies CAF Performance Measures

Connect America Fund recipients are subject to the final performance testing milestone at the end of a carrier's support term, the FCC Wireline Bureau clarified in an order Friday. Carriers have one year after the final milestone to address any shortcomings to ensure they're fully compliant. CAF Phase II auction winners must fulfill deployment obligations by the end of 2025 but will be subject to performance testing until 2029 and have an additional year to come into compliance before being subject to permanent support withholding. The order clarified that compliance for carriers participating in multiple high-cost programs will be determined separately.