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
FCC
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
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
CMRS Providers: Are your CPNI Manuals and Training out of date?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
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: As referenced in the Performance … Read more
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, … Read more
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 … 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
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
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 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
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
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
