An FCC order granting voice service providers terminating calls on an IP network permission to use session initiation protocol code 603 for call blocking notifications takes effect Jan. 31, said a public notice Tuesday in docket 17-59 (see 2112150039). Comments are due Jan. 31, replies by Feb. 14, on a Further NPRM on the use of SIP code 603 and fully implementing SIP codes 607 and 608, said Thursday's Federal Register.
The FCC Wireline Bureau granted five of seven waiver requests on the Emergency Connectivity Fund's $400 cap for connected devices, said an order Tuesday in docket 21-93. All the petitioners serve students and staff with disabilities. St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf, Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and NYSARC-New York City Chapter, AHRC New York City were granted a waiver. Fresno Unified School District's two waiver requests were granted. The Bay Area Technology School was denied a waiver to buy equipment accessories and more than one connected device per student. Health Science High & Middle College in San Diego was denied a waiver to purchase connected devices "compatible with software used in a specialty academic program focused on career preparation." The bureau directed the Universal Service Administrative Co. to complete its review of the seven funding requests within 60 days.
The FCC "has authority to prescribe minimum service standards" in the affordable connectivity program, said an Adtran letter last week in docket 21-450 (see 2112090061). The company disagreed with CTIA that "[no] commenter favoring selective restrictions on eligible households’ right to apply their benefit to the broadband service of their choice explains how such restrictions could be justified under the statute, and indeed no such justification exists." Adtran's reply backed MSS for fixed broadband.
Alternative connect America cost model I (A-CAM), rural broadband experiment, and Alaska plan support recipients may continue pretesting 70% of Universal Service Administrative Co.-selected samples for the first two quarters of 2022, said an FCC Wireline Bureau order Monday in docket 10-90 granting in part NTCA’s request for an extension of a similar waiver (see 2012210050). It on its own extended similar relief to A-CAM II, Connect America Fund broadband loop support and CAF II auction recipients. The bureau "[agreed] that the global semiconductor shortage has caused delays in both the manufacture and the delivery of equipment,” encouraging carriers to "move as swiftly as possible to test their full sample size." The bureau granted REV Broadband's request to waive pretesting requirements for its subsidiaries receiving CAF broadband support loop support for Q1, citing the "lingering effects of Hurricane Ida." It denied NTCA's request to adopt a "simplified waiver process" and extend the pretesting period for A-CAM, rural broadband experiment, and Alaska plan carriers.
The FCC revoked the authorization of Cleo Communications to participate in the emergency broadband benefit program, following customer complaints. “Numerous consumer complaints filed with the Commission contend that Cleo has failed to provide connected devices or broadband service even though Cleo held itself out as a participating provider in the EBB Program,” said a Thursday Wireline Bureau letter to Cleo CEO Kyle Traxler. “These consumers allege in their complaints that Cleo has marketed itself as a participating provider in the EBB Program and solicited payments for connected devices purportedly subsidized by the EBB Program, but failed to deliver any such device or to provide service.” The company didn’t comment.
GCI Communications sought a waiver of FCC emergency broadband benefit program rules on claims reimbursement, said a petition posted Monday in docket 20-445. GCI "timely uploaded but missed the deadline" to certify claims for October and November, it said. GCI said it also plans to participate in the affordable connectivity program.
Don't require "universal, proactive opt-in" to participate in the affordable connectivity program, a coalition of advocacy groups asked FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a letter posted Thursday in docket 21-450 (see 2112090061). Among the signers were Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, the National Consumer Law Center and Public Knowledge. Households transitioning from the emergency broadband benefit program should receive "clear and repeated notice that the program is transitioning" so they can decide whether and how they want to participate in ACP, the groups said, saying the FCC should "immediately" establish an outreach grant program that Congress allowed.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel named seven members to the Universal Service Administrative Co.'s board of directors, said a public notice Thursday in docket 96-45 (see personals section, this issue). The three-year terms begin Jan. 1. T-Mobile Director-Federal Regulatory Affairs Indra Sehdev Chalk's term as representative for commercial mobile radio service providers ends Dec. 31, 2022.
The FCC Wireline Bureau approved Airvoice Wireless' revised compliance plans to continue providing Lifeline service, said a public notice Thursday in docket 11-42. The revised plan reflects Vtel Holdings' proposed acquisition of Airvoice and changes to commission rules since the approval of its previously approved compliance plan.
Reject USF's Q1 contribution factor and set it at zero, said Consumers' Research, Cause Based Commerce and others in comments posted Wednesday in FCC docket 96-45 (see 2112130050). It's "an unconstitutional tax raised and spent by an unaccountable federal agency," the groups said, asking the agency to "do the same for all future proposed Universal Service contribution factors due to the illegality of this entire scheme and process." Consumers' Research challenged the Q4 contribution factor in October (see 2110050056).