USTelecom Asks FCC to Reject SHLB ECF Request

USTelecom asked the FCC to reject Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition’s request for clarification of Emergency Connectivity Fund rules, said a letter posted Wednesday in docket 21-93. SHLB asked for clarification whether applicants can receive funding to deploy their own networks if existing services aren’t available at a reasonable price. SHLB’s request is “clearly contrary” to the ECF allowing limited exception for new infrastructure deployment if no commercially available services are in an area, USTelecom said: “The request circumvents both the policies underlying the creation of the ECF as well as the commission’s procedural requirements in requesting reconsideration of a commission order.” SHLB Executive Director John Windhausen said he was "a bit flabbergasted" by USTelecom's filing. "If these decisions are just going to be made on a case-by-case basis without further guidance, as USTelecom apparently prefers, then many applications run the risk of being denied because of uncertainties in the rules and policies, which would not be good government," Windhausen said: "We would hope USTelecom would join with SHLB in helping this program succeed rather than blocking this clarification request.”