Pennsylvania Localities Back State Petition to FCC for CAF II Broadband Funding
Pennsylvania locality groups asked the FCC to approve the state's petition for rule changes to secure $140 million in Connect American Fund Phase II broadband support that Verizon declined and is scheduled to be auctioned. The USF support was based…
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on an "FCC cost model to be used in underserved areas of Pennsylvania" and it's "critical" the funds remain in the state "for broadband deployment in those rural areas that desperately need it," said filings posted Thursday in docket 10-90 by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (here), Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners (here) and two other groups. They cited Pennsylvania's commitment to broadband deployment, and noted the FCC granted a New York request to retain CAF II funds in-state. "While the type of commitment to broadband deployment in New York is different from that of Pennsylvania, the level of commitment, not to mention the level of need, is similar," the filings said. Three asked the FCC "to modify the auction formula for bids in Pennsylvania to the extent resources are made available through the state on a non-discriminatory and technology-neutral basis." The Wireless ISP Association opposed the Pennsylvania petition (see 1706210019), while Verizon was supportive (see 1705190044).