Shelbi Lien FCC Exceeded its Statutory Authority by Adopting Disparate Impact Liability SUMMARY On May 6, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (Court) issued an opinion vacating in full the FCC’s “digital discrimination of access” rules, codified at 47 C.F.R. Part 16. The Court held that Section 60506 of the Infrastructure Investment and … Read more
Details Released on May 1, 2026 SUMMARY On May 1, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, DA-26-30, announcing the establishment of a competitive bidding portal to be launched in 2028. Service providers will respond to FCC Form 470, Description of Services Requested and Certification Form, by submitting their … Read more
Public Notice Released April 29, 2026 SUMMARY On April 29, 2026, the FCC released DA 26-420 announcing the launch of the coverage restoration process to begin on May 7, 2026. Fixed or Mobile service providers will utilize this process to restore availability coverage on the National Broadband Map (NBM). The commission also released a Data Specifications for … Read more
Draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Released, Comments Requested. SUMMARY On April 29, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled “Reforming the High‑Cost Program for an All‑IP Future,” initiating a broad review of the High‑Cost Universal Service Fund (USF) program. The NPRM seeks comment on potential reforms to … Read more
Now easier to transition to VoIP from legacy TDM technologies. SUMMARY On March 27, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order revising Section 214 discontinuance rules, eliminating legacy filing burdens for technology transitioning carriers including 251(c)(5) interconnection network change disclosures, and imposing new safeguards for 911 continuity during the transition to … Read more
Now includes routers produced in a foreign country. SUMMARY On March 23, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated its Covered List to include all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries. The FCC’s guidance states that Supply Chain Annual Report filers need only report equipment or services obtained 60 days or more after the date they are added to the Covered … Read more
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) models are critical for detecting suspicious activity and ensuring compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). For community banks and credit unions, these models often include transaction monitoring systems, customer risk scoring tools, and sanctions screening applications. After performing over 100 AML model validations over the past 10 years, I understand the … Read more
First-time filers with no covered equipment are required to file. SUMMARY On March 13, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice reminding all providers of advanced communications services that Supply Chain Annual Reports reflecting the status as of December 31, 2025, must be submitted no later than March 31, 2026. The Secure … Read more
Following the news of Darren Dierbeck’s retirement, we are pleased to introduce Steve Davis as the Director of Customer Relations for broadband service providers in the Southwest. Steve has worked in the broadband industry for over 25 years, and brings a wealth of experience understanding the needs of service providers. Most importantly, he understands the … Read more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced April 2024 is the last month eligible subscribers in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will receive their full benefit. Service providers have until March 19, 2024, to send this notification to subscribers in a manner consistent with any consumer-expressed preferences. Service providers are also required to send another notice … Read more
New notification rules awaiting OMB approval. The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Report and Order in WC Docket No. 22-21 has been published in the Federal Register. With this, new data breach requirements take effect March 13, 2024. The new notification requirement, however, has a delayed effective date until approval by the Office of Management and … Read more
Application window opens March 22, 2024; closes May 21, 2024. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the highly anticipated details for the fifth (5th) round of funding for the ReConnect Program. The ReConnect Program will provide up to $700M in loan and grant funding to assist with building broadband infrastructure in areas … Read more
Application window opens March 22, 2024; closes April 22, 2024. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the highly anticipated details for the fifth (5th) round of funding for the ReConnect Program. The ReConnect Program will provide up to $700M in loan and grant funding to assist with building broadband infrastructure in areas … Read more
All providers must comply by February 26, 2024. As you may recall, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an Order on March 17, 2023 designed to bolster the existing STIR/SHAKEN and Robocall Mitigation Database/Program requirements. Many of the requirements were delayed, pending OMB approval. The FCC released a Public Notice on January 25, 2024 outlining … Read more
Broadband Serviceable Locations: Validate and Update! Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) are reported bi-annually in the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) filing. The Federal Communications Communication (FCC) recently released several Public Notices providing additional guidance on the implications of utilizing the BSLs to determine how federal High-Cost funds are disbursed in addition to new funding opportunities. Vantage … Read more
FCC announced final full month is April 2024. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provided Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) wind-down guidance in DA 24-23. This order projects the last fully funded month for the ACP will be April 2024. The ACP claims snapshot on May 1, 2024, will identify the households eligible to receive the last … Read more
The FCC will provide wind-down procedures. FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel released The Future of the Affordable Connectivity Program fact sheet this week. It is anticipated the funding for the program will run out in April 2024 unless Congress acts on the requested $6B requested by the Biden Administration for the ACP, or the $7B bipartisan bill, … Read more
Second Report and Order released on December 27, 2023 On December 27, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Second Report and Order deferring the commencement of the next five-year deployment obligation term for legacy rate-of-return carriers receiving Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support (CAF BLS) in 2024 until January 1, 2025. Legacy carriers … Read more
One-Time Information Collection Regarding Foreign Ownership On December 13, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice reminding all international section 214 authorization holders (Authorization Holders) to respond to a One-Time Information Collection regarding foreign ownership in the One-Time Information Collection Filing System no later than 11:59 ET on January 22, 2024. The … Read more
CMRS Providers: Are your CPNI Manuals and Training out of date? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an Order on November 16, 2023, designed to bolster Local Number Portability (LNP) rules and Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) rules for Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers (including resellers of wireless service) due to increased subscriber identity … Read more
