RCA Asks if Alaska USF Meets Statutory Goals
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska agreed to ask stakeholders if the state USF is fulfilling statutory goals after supporting a short-term fix to Alaska USF addressing what to do in a shortage situation. At a Wednesday meeting, commissioners voted 4-1…
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for the short-term measure and 4-1 to seek comment on broader USF questions. Under the short-term item, the Alaska USF administrator would distribute funds first for administrative costs, then the Lifeline program, then other universal service programs with oldest claims first and “pro-rated among claimants within a monthly accounting period based on the total unpaid claims for that period.” Except for claims before the effective date, the administrator wouldn’t pay claims that remain unpaid more than six months after accrual, it said. Commissioner Jan Wilson voted no on the short-term measure because she objects to the commission not fully funding USF by adopting a surcharge less than what was requested, she said. It should be fully funded until the fund size is reduced, she said. The long-term item seeks comment on several questions by Commissioner Rebecca Pauli, who previously backed setting a date to terminate AUSF and come up with a replacement (see 1710250022). Pauli asked if universal intrastate interexchange service, regardless of technology, is provided at reasonable rates throughout the state. If not, Pauli wants more details and an assessment of how to get there, she said. Chairman Stephen McAlpine voted no on the long-term proposal, saying, “Sometimes it’s more important that you make a decision than is the decision that you make.”