Memo: Cybersecurity Reminder for Enhanced ACAM Electors
December 14, 2023
Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Risk Management plans must be submitted to USAC. Enhanced ACAM electors are required to implement operational Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Risk Management plans as outlined in the Enhanced ACAM order, FCC 23-60. According to the order, plans are to be submitted to USAC by January 1, 2024, and certified by January…
Continue ReadingMemo: Performance Measures Updates
December 12, 2023
USAC Announces New Samples Required, FCC Provides Additional Guidance for Carriers Transitioning to Enhanced ACAM. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) recently announced new sample locations MUST be obtained and used beginning first quarter 2024 through calendar year 2025 for carriers currently participating in any of the following funding programs: CAF BLS (must continue to…
Continue ReadingMemo: FCC Releases Rules Regarding Digital Discrimination
December 11, 2023
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to “adopt final rules to facilitate equal access to broadband Internet access service, taking into account the issues of technical and economic feasibility presented by that objective, including – (1) preventing digital discrimination of access based on income level, race, ethnicity,…
Continue ReadingDigital Discrimination: Interview with Jeff Smith
December 7, 2023
Digital Discrimination: Interview with Jeff Smith With the recently-released Order on Digital Discrimination, there are a lot of questions: What does this mean? Who is impacted? What do we need to do? In this 22-minute interview, Jeff Smith – VP of Public Policy and Advocacy – answers those questions and sheds light on the regulatory... Continue Reading
Memos, Resources
Memo: BDC PE Certification Waiver Extended
December 6, 2023
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) extended the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) Professional Engineer (PE) certification waiver, with conditions. In 2020, Congress passed the Broadband DATA Act, which required the FCC to adopt rules for a biannual data collection relating to the availability and quality of broadband Internet access service. This data collection effort and resulting…
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Memo: FCC Releases BEAD State and Tribal Engagement Guidance for Enhanced A-CAM and Other High-Cost Support Recipients
December 4, 2023
On November 29, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice providing guidance to High-Cost support recipients regarding their obligations to collaborate with states and Tribal governments to avoid duplication with Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding. High-Cost support includes Enhanced A-CAM, RDOF, CAF Phase II Auction, Bringing Puerto Rico Together... Continue ReadingMemo: Broadband Label Compliance Dates
October 16, 2023
Compliance dates for rules implementing Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act announced. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) announced compliance dates for the Broadband Label Order. The rules require Broadband Internet Access Service (BIAS) providers to display, at the point of sale, labels that disclose certain information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, broadband…
Continue ReadingEnd of Year Reminders
Must comply by December 31, 2023. As a reminder, if you have not completed the following this year, please make sure you are compliant with all by December 31, 2023: National Do-Not-Call Registry ETC Annual Notice Lifeline Annual Notice RUS Borrowers Backup Power Obligations HUBB Reporting Obligations Performance Testing Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Risk Requirements…
Continue ReadingMemo: Enhanced A-CAM Participation List Released
October 5, 2023
50% threshold met. Program going forward. On October 4, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice announcing the carriers that accepted Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) support. Contained in the Public Notice was a link to a list of those carriers. The FCC also noted that based on the election…
Continue ReadingMemo: ACP Transparency Data Collection USAC System Updates
August 21, 2023
Test Portal Opened August 18, 2023. The Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) announced the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Transparency Data collection staging (test) portal opened on August 18, 2023. Service Providers can test load data in the portal until the filing window opens on September 8, 2023. USAC also released the ACP Transparency Data Collection…
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