NRECA, NTCA Cast Doubt on Resound RDOF Plans

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and NTCA told the FCC they're "concerned that a lack of transparency and accountability" in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction could put some locations to be served at the gigabit tier "at risk of receiving service levels that fall short both of the expectations set by the commission for the auction and of awardee commitments," said a letter posted Monday in docket 19-126. NRECA and NTCA said Resound Networks' plan to "alter its deployment strategy" by using fixed wireless technology in areas it planned to be fiber "presents significant concerns." The groups noted RDOF applicants seeking to use fixed wireless to provide gigabit level service need to "make a case" that they could do so, and "careful scrutiny is warranted now, especially in a case like this where the winning bidder reportedly seeks to switch from a proven technology to one that is subject to a number of practical challenges." Resound was among the winning bidders that agreed to withdraw bids for certain census blocks that may already be served or are unpopulated (see 2109010084).