FCC Form 477 Census Data Update. The FCC has announced that upcoming FCC Form 477 reporting will soon be based off 2020 Census Geography Codes. All FCC Form 477 reporting that includes data as of December 31, 2021, (Form due March 1, 2022) will be based off the updated 2020 Census Geography Codes. Any revisions … Read more
Shelbi Lien
Reassigned Numbers Database Reminder Due October 15, 2021, for Small Business Providers. Summary The FCC released a Public Notice on February 8, 2021, announcing the compliance date for service providers to report information to the Reassigned Numbers Database. As of April 15, 2021, and on the 15th each month thereafter, service providers must report permanently … Read more
FCC Announces Updated Lifeline Minimum Standards Recent updates and clarifications regarding Tribal Lifeline have been added. Summary The FCC released a Public Notice on July 30, 2021, announcing the new Lifeline Minimum Standards that will take effective on December 1, 2021. If the subscriber is receiving a bundled service, the Lifeline benefit must be applied … Read more
Vantage Point congratulates Russell Elliott for his new role at Siskiyou Telephone, where he will succeed Jim Lowers as CEO. We are pleased to have assisted Siskiyou with their search for this top executive and proudly share the full announcement below. For more information about Vantage Point’s Executive Placement services, click here. Siskiyou Telephone Announces … Read more
FCC Announces Census Blocks Eligible for Continued Voice-Only Lifeline Support Summary In the 2016 Lifeline Reform Order, the FCC began the transition to phase out the Lifeline support for voice-only services in an attempt to shift the focus of Lifeline benefits toward broadband services. The transition for voice-only supported services are: The FCC provided an … Read more
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Preparedness Guide Preparing for program launch. Summary The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) will launch enrollment on May 12, 2021. Get ready to educate and enroll subscribers in the time limited program. To participate in the program and receive reimbursement for an EBB customer credit, a … Read more
STIR/SHAKEN – Originating Robocall Mitigation Database Announced Action required for all voice service providers. Summary The FCC released a Public Notice on April 20, 2021, announcing the opening of the Robocall Mitigation Database and providing filing instructions along with confirmation of the Robocall Mitigation Program filing deadline of June 30, 2021. Note that action is … Read more
Next Step for Transition of 8YY End Office Access Charges Cap on Joint Tandem Switched Transport and Transition Database Query Charges. Summary On October 9, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order relating to 8YY Access Charge Reform. The Report and Order announced a transition of 8YY originating end office access … Read more
Bureau Announces CAF II Eligible Locations Adjustment Process (ELAP) Filing Window Public Notice released March 16, 2021. Summary On March 16, 2021, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) released the Public Notice, DA 21-319, announcing the opening of the CAF Phase II Auction Eligible Locations Adjustment Process (ELAP) filing window for CAF Phase II auction recipients. … Read more
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Update Public Notice released March 4, 2021. Summary The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously adopted an Order on February 25th establishing the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB). The $3.2 Billion appropriated by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 will lower high-speed Internet costs for eligible households during the COVID-19 … Read more
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Overview of FCC Report and Order. Summary The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously adopted an Order on February 25th establishing the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB). The $3.2 Billion appropriated by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 will lower high-speed Internet costs for eligible households during the COVID-19 … Read more
FCC Seeks Outreach Partners for Emergency Broadband Benefit Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the FCC is seeking outreach partners to help share information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit – an FCC program developed to provide relief to households that are struggling to pay for Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FCC … Read more
Published February 2021 In the recent auction, RDOF funds were awarded to fixed wireless technologies at the Gig tier. But can fixed wireless technology deliver Gigabit performance in Rural America? Vantage Point CEO Larry Thompson authored a widely renowned whitepaper examining that exact question. This whitepaper was submitted to the FCC as part of the … Read more
STIR/SHAKEN – Originating Robocall Mitigation Plan Services Summary STIR/SHAKEN requirements were initially slated to go into effect June 30, 2021. However, voice providers with fewer than 100,000 access lines were granted an automatic extension until June 30, 2023, to implement STIR/SHAKEN on the IP portions of their network. Note that action is still required to … Read more
Reassigned Numbers Database FCC Public Notice released on February 8, 2021. Summary The FCC released a Public Notice on February 8, 2021, announcing the compliance date for service providers to report information to the Reassigned Numbers Database. Beginning April 15, 2021, and on the 15th of each month thereafter, service providers must report permanently disconnected … Read more
Reassigned Numbers Database Update Summary The FCC released a Public Notice on January 15, 2021. The Reassigned Numbers Database administrator, SomosGov, Inc., has been selected and reporting processes have been outlined for all carriers that receive numbering resources directly from the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). If you recall, the FCC released an Order on … Read more
HUBB Filing Carriers must file by March 1, 2021. Summary A reminder that all carriers participating in modernized Connect America Fund (CAF) programs must file High-Cost Universal Broadband (HUBB) deployment data via USAC’s HUBB portal by March 1, 2021. Below are the programs and the reporting timeframes: Download the full memo for additional detail. VPS … Read more
Protecting Aerial Fiber In the opening days of hunting season, we received several questions about how to protect aerial fiber from shotgun pellets. Eric Rajchel, PE shares three options in the video below. Additional Information For more information on this issue or if you would like VPS guidance, please contact these members of the Vantage … Read more
Caller ID Authentication Second Report & Order Also known as STIR/SHAKEN. Summary The FCC released its Second Report and Order on caller ID authentication requirements also known as STIR/SHAKEN on October 1, 2020. A few of the Order highlights are the extension of the STIR/SHAKEN implementation deadline from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2023, … Read more
Fiber Supply Constraints: Be Prepared Over the last year, fiber lead times have been increasing as broadband deployments ramp up nationwide. VPS anticipates these lead times increasing even further as many federal and state grant and support programs come to fruition. Additionally, there are more yet-to-be-announced funding programs on the horizon that will further exacerbate … Read more
