FCC Hasn't Approved Alaska CAF Orders Despite Q2 Assurances to Senator
The FCC hasn't adopted two USF orders to support rural broadband in Alaska despite commissioner statements to an Alaska senator that they would act in Q2. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel has voted in favor of both items, an official in her office said Friday. In addition, Chairman Tom Wheeler may have voted in favor of the two draft Connect America Fund orders targeting Alaska that he circulated in early June (see 1606100075) if past practice is any guide. His spokespeople didn't confirm that Friday.
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The items haven't gotten the three votes needed to force other commissioners to vote under FCC practices, said an agency official Friday morning.
Stakeholders remained hopeful the FCC would approve the draft CAF orders, which would address broadband support in high-cost rural parts of Alaska served by rate-of-return and price-cap carriers, plus wireless competitors. "I think they're just working them through. I haven't heard anything to suggest they won't be out soon," said one stakeholder. Another said: "We're not dead in the water. Just working on implementation issues.”
Wheeler and other commissioners indicated they would act on the two items in Q2, under prodding from Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing in March (see 2:33:00 to 2:35:30 of webcast). Aides to several commissioners and Sullivan didn't comment Friday.