The FCC Wireline Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics adopted many of the proposals for the third mandatory data collection for inmate calling services, in an order Tuesday in docket 12-375 (see 2111050045). The reporting period was expanded to three years. ICS providers must report customer prepayments separately and any interest paid on prepayments. The bureau adopted its proposal on the types of data collected and added figures for new account generation and termination. It also adopted its proposal to require weekly turnover data. Site commissions must be categorized as either legally mandated or contractually prescribed. These payments must also be disaggregated between monetary and in-kind payments, as well as whether they are fixed or variable. Providers will be required to report how site commissions are allocated between ICS and non-ICS operations. The bureau expanded its proposal on security costs to include providers’ security and surveillance services "outside the site commission section."

The FCC report on the future of USF should consider where support is needed to "sustain networks and keep services affordable," in addition to unserved areas, NTCA told Commissioner Brendan Carr and his staff, per a filing Friday in docket 21-476. The group suggested adopting "a holistic perspective" on USF's role in "enabling and sustaining access to broadband as compared to other programs focused narrowly on network construction alone."

The FCC Wireline Bureau authorized support for more than 2,500 winning FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Phase I bids, said a public notice Friday in docket 19-126. Cincinnati Bell, Conexon, First Light Fiber, Midco and Windstream were among the authorized bidders.

The FCC Wireline Bureau designated Windstream for high-cost eligible telecom carrier status in certain areas within Florida and New York, said a Thursday order in docket 09-197. It's "conditioned upon, limited to, and effective upon" its authorization to receive Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I support.

Prohibit broadband providers' exclusive access agreements with multi-tenant environments (MTEs), NCTA asked an aide to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, per a filing Wednesday in docket 17-142 (see 2111220047). Limiting other types of arrangements "would jeopardize rather than enhance the availability of advanced broadband to MTE tenants," the group said. "Competition and consumer choice in MTEs are strong."

Telecom relay service providers disagreed about Sorenson Communications’ petition for declaratory ruling that video relay service providers be allowed to recover the cost of service-related tasks, in comments posted Tuesday in docket 10-51. IP captioned telephone service provider Hamilton backed the petition and asked that it be extended to IP CTS providers. All "costs associated with an installation/training/registration visit should be reimbursable from the TRS Fund," said IP CTS provider ClearCaptions. VRS providers Convo Communications and GlobalVRS opposed the petition. Sorenson's request "constitutes a thinly veiled effort to increase its revenues while retaining its market dominance and captive users through continued leveraging of its proprietary equipment," GlobalVRS said. Convo asked the FCC to consider waiting to decide until at least "after it determines Ariel’s application to acquire control of Sorenson" (see 2112200045).

Hold Consumers' Research's challenge of USF's Q4 contribution factor in abeyance until the FCC issues its report to Congress on the future of USF, the agency asked the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, per a filing Tuesday in case 21-3866 (see 2111180018). The report "should address petitioners’ arguments with respect to the lawfulness of the FCC’s rules and procedures for adopting the universal service contribution factor," the agency said: Consumers' Research opposed the motion and interveners supported it.

Open a rulemaking "promptly" to consider "potential modifications" to the FCC high cost Connect America Fund and "whether high-cost support is available for operating expenses in high-cost areas after network deployment is completed," Premier Communications told an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, per a filing Monday in docket 21-476. Premier said waiting for a notice of inquiry for the future of USF report to be submitted to Congress would "delay resolution of this issue" (see 2112220051): It would "be desirable" for the FCC to complete a rulemaking before 2023 when states are expected to receive broadband grants (see 2111240021).

The FCC released draft rules for the affordable connectivity program Friday, with few changes for providers and guidance for emergency broadband benefit households transitioning to the new program. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel released the draft for feedback "given the importance of this program to consumers," she said: “Congress gave the FCC a very short window to stand up" the ACP "and working with a hyper-accelerated schedule during the holidays, we’ve proven that we are up to the task with this draft." The FCC wouldn't adopt a uniform opt-in requirement for EBB households transitioning to ACP but instead offer a "hybrid approach." Households that wouldn't experience a bill change wouldn't be required to opt in. Those with a "willingness and an ability to pay for broadband" would need to provide consent if they may end up with a bill due to the benefits drop. Households that haven't said they would or could pay must opt in. The draft would keep the same definition of "household" used in Lifeline and EBB. Household eligibility was updated to meet certain statutory changes. Recognizing some eligible households "may experience difficulty accessing or navigating the National Verifier on their own, and may require assistance to complete and submit an application," the draft would require the Wireline Bureau and Universal Service Administrative Co. to do a "one-year test pilot for granting trusted access to the National Verifier for purposes of assisting customers with applying" for ACP. Few changes would be made to the requirements for providers. Providers would need to establish that they offer broadband services to end users before seeking to participate, rather than before December 2020. The FCC was "persuaded by comments not to collect broadband internet service plan information during the election process," the draft said. Similar to the Lifeline program, providers would be prohibited from offering or giving enrollment representatives or direct supervisors compensation based on the number of households that apply or enroll in ACP. The draft cites a recent Office of Inspector General advisory raising concerns about potential misconduct by sales agents. Non-usage de-enrollment rules would mirror the Lifeline program's rules. The FCC received a mixed response on whether "any internet service offering" should include legacy and grandfathered plans. The final rules would include those plans and any that a provider "currently offers to new customers." It further clarified that the requirement "does not require that providers offer such legacy or grandfathered plans to other customers, including ACP-eligible customers, that are not already on such plans." Providers would have 60 days after the final rules are published in the Federal Register to complete any necessary changes to ensure ACP can be applied to "all generally available and currently sold plans." Providers would also be allowed to include taxes and other government fees in the "actual amount charged to a household." The draft would not impose minimum service standards. Smartphones and cellphones would still be excluded. Providers are allowed to perform credit checks only if it's unrelated to the program. Providers would be prohibited from upselling or downselling services. A Further NPRM would also seek comment on implementing an up to $75 enhanced monthly benefit for households in high-cost areas and how to establish its outreach grant program. Comments would be due 30 days after FR publication, 45 days for replies, in docket 21-450. Also released Friday was a public notice allowing ex parte presentations until Jan. 11. Presentations must be filed by Jan. 12.

The FCC Wireline Bureau granted a request by more than a dozen groups to extend the comment period for its notice of inquiry on a report on the future of USF, said an order Tuesday in docket 21-476 (see 2112220051). The bureau said the record would "benefit from commenters having had the opportunity to further monitor the commission’s implementation of the affordable connectivity program and NTIA’s implementation of broadband programs." Comments are now due by Feb. 17, replies by March 17.