WTA 'Skeptical' of RDOF Winning Bids Delivering 1 Gbps

WTA members are "very skeptical" that Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction winners can meet obligations to deliver 1 Gbps, the group told FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the other commissioners, per docket 19-126 (see 2104090039). Long-form applicants "proposing to construct and operate new stand-alone gigabit fiber-optic networks at 20-to-30 percent of the RDOF reserve price should be required to meet a very detailed and stringent burden of proof," the group said. WTA raised concerns about applicants that plan to deliver gigabit services over fixed wireless and satellite networks, because those bidders have "line-of-sight, weather, foliage, storm damage, useful life, and maintenance vulnerabilities" (see 2104140063). The group asked the FCC to "declare unequivocally" that RDOF Phase I auction rules will be "strictly enforced."