WTA Presses FCC for 'Full Funding' of Rural USF, Rate-Floor Relief, Lifeline Changes
WTA lobbied the FCC for "full funding" of both rural telco USF subsidy mechanisms, the new Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM) and the updated rate-of-return path. The rural telco group also urged the FCC to scrap or suspend a…
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"rate floor in Section 54.328(b)" of the rules, and noted its agreement with then-Commissioner (now Chairman) Ajit Pai's rate-floor criticism in an April 23, 2014, dissent. "If nothing is done, many RLECs are going to have to raise their voice rates again -- this time, to $20 per month -- as of July 1," said a WTA filing Monday in docket 10-90 on a meeting with a Pai aide. Noting its petition for reconsideration, the group cited concerns about certain Lifeline USF rules, including minimum service standards that "render consumers who are otherwise eligible for Lifeline unable to receive support for the broadband services available to them." It also criticized a Lifeline voice support phaseout and a 12-month broadband "port-freeze" that "is confusing for consumers, complex to administer for small carriers, and encourages carries to 'lock-in' customers." Separately, WTA filed comments backing an Adak Eagle Enterprises recon petition of a Dec. 20 FCC decision not to extend to Adak a second ACAM offer.