Shelbi Lien 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: Download the full document for additional detail. End of Year Reminders For more information on these issues or if you would like VPS guidance, please … Read more
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 … Read more
Mitchell Tech recognizes Platinum Employers MITCHELL (September 6, 2023) – Every fall, Mitchell Technical College announces its Platinum Employer list, recognizing those employers who have hired the greatest numbers of new graduates into their first-destination careers from the college’s three most recent graduating classes. This year’s Platinum Employer list, on display in Mitchell Tech’s Campus … Read more
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 … Read more
On July 24, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its Enhanced A-CAM Order giving legacy high-cost support recipients and current A-CAM I & II recipients the ability to accept the 15-year Enhanced A-CAM offer to provide 100/20 Mbps broadband service to unserved and underserved locations. Carriers must elect whether to accept the Enhanced A-CAM … Read more
The FCC released a Public Notice on July 25, 2023, announcing that the BDC Filing Deadline with data as of June 30, 2023, has been extended from September 1, 2023, to September 15, 2023. The extension is a result of a CostQuest June 30, 2023 Fabric processing error where certain Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) were … Read more
Yesterday the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its Report and Order, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Notice of Inquiry (Order) extending the Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) program support for fifteen (15) years in exchange for the provision of broadband service to 100% of the eligible locations at speeds of 100/20 Mbps. It is a … Read more
The FCC released an Order on July 7, 2023, hitting the pause button on, (1) the support phase-out of Lifeline voice services, and (2) the data capacity increase for mobile broadband, for an additional year. As a result of the pause, the basic lifeline benefit will remain at $5.25 for eligible voice-only service and the … Read more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the June 2023 version of the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) Fabric is available. Service providers are encouraged to access their BDC Fabric (Fabric) data and to begin their BDC Filing early. Bulk Fabric Challenges submitted on or after June 30, 2023, must be submitted against the June 2023 … Read more
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the state funding allocations for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program yesterday. Additional information is available in the Press Release. The funding is being distributed based on BEAD requirements and the number of unserved and underserved locations as determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) … Read more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is to eliminate Universal Service Fund (USF) high-cost support to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) in areas where an unsubsidized competitor is currently providing service. This applies to programs such as A-CAM, CAF-BLS, and The Alaska Plan-Phase 1. The current definition of unsubsidized competitor is “a facilities-based provider of residential fixed … Read more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) performance testing start date is January 1, 2025. Additional information is available in the Public Notice. The FCC adopted a uniform framework of performance measures requirements in the Performance Measures Orders, back in December 2020. This requires recipients of high-cost universal service support … Read more
The FCC released a 7th Report & Order on May 19, 2023 in an effort to continue combatting illegal and unwanted robocalls. The FCC begins this phase of the effort by extending to other voice service providers several requirements currently in place for Gateway providers. Download the full memo for additional information on 24-Hour Traceback, … Read more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the FCC Broadband Map (Map) reflecting BDC filing data as of December 31, 2022, and processed availability challenges. Additional information is available in the Press Release. All Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are required to submit their availability for broadband serviceable locations (BSLs) bi-annually. The FCC compiles this information and … Read more
On May 16, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released DA 23-416, a Public Notice announcing that the biennial recertifications of Study Area Boundary (SAB) data are due no later than June 30, 2023. According to the FCC’s Study Area Boundary Order, incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) and state commissions that have voluntarily agreed to … Read more
The FCC released an Order on March 17, 2023 designed to bolster the existing STIR/SHAKEN and Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) and Robocall Mitigation Program requirements. The new requirements will affect ALL voice providers. If VPS assisted with your initial Robocall Mitigation Database/Program filing, we will reach out to you directly via email as things progress … Read more
Application window opened March 20, 2023 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the highly anticipated details for the Community Connect Grant Program. The Community Connect Program will provide up to $79M in grant funding to construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. This program was … Read more
The Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 established the requirement for providers of Advanced Communications Services to report and certify annually information regarding purchasing, renting or leasing any equipment from the FCC’s Covered List of equipment or services that are deemed to pose a threat to national security interests. All providers of Advanced … Read more
With the small provider two-year extension coming to an end June 30, 2023, it is important that you analyze your network as soon as possible to identify and implement STIR/SHAKEN on all IP portions of your network. STIR/SHAKEN implementation can take a minimum of 90+ days. Depending on your STIR/SHAKEN solution, a TOKEN may be … Read more
On March 6, 2023, the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) published a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for an initial round of grants for Broadband Infrastructure Projects in Texas. The funding is being made available through the Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) program. This first round of funding will provide up to $120 million … Read more
