The FCC takes its visits to deployment sites and meetings...

Genachowski wrote in response to correspondence from the Alaskan lawmakers urging the commission to grant a waiver to Windy City Cellular, which operates on the remote island of Adak (CD Aug 13 p6). Genachowski pointed to the April “Benchmarks Order” in which the Wireline Bureau revised the high-cost loop support benchmark categories to reflect similarly situated providers, added new variables, and adjusted the phase-in period of the changes. Genachowski noted the reform was unanimously approved by the commission, and said it was important to “keep moving forward” on implementation, and “not roll back progress.” He also pointed to the six-month waiver already granted to Windy City, which gave the carrier $40,000 “to support the status quo” in its service area while the commission considered a petition by its parent company, Adak Eagle Enterprises. “During my trip to Alaska last year, I had an opportunity to visit deployment sites and meet with many of the Alaska carriers to get an understanding of the unique challenges they face. We take these visits and meetings very seriously, and the Commission -- and the staff on delegated authority -- continues to make adjustments to our reforms as necessary,” the letter said.