New York State Seeks CAF II Funds Through FCC Waiver of Auction Requirement
New York sought an expedited FCC waiver of Connect America Fund rules requiring Phase II subsidy support for broadband-oriented service to be awarded in the state through competitive bidding. New York said it must soon carry out a state auction…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
of subsidies for the same areas covered by the FCC's planned CAF II reverse auction. "Grant of the requested waiver would allow New York to coordinate allocation of the CAF funding with its own broadband auction, resulting in significant benefits to New York consumers," said a filing posted Thursday in docket 10-90 by Empire State Development, which is overseeing the state auction. "New York’s allocation of CAF funds would be undertaken in accordance with key Commission requirements and would not impose any additional financial burdens on the CAF." ESD said the waiver would facilitate federal-state coordination, encourage broadband investment and provide "significant cost efficiencies and financial synergies." The state auction is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's (D) $500 million program to expand broadband access, ESD said. Round 1 resulted in $75.8 million in broadband investment, $54.2 million from the state and $21.6 million from private parties. Round 2 would cover the territories where Verizon, as the incumbent telco, declined the FCC's $170.4 million offer of CAF II support. New York wants the waiver to use that funding in its auction.