Alaska USF to Sunset in 5 Years
Comprehensive review of Alaska USF will start by June 30, 2021, under an order adopted Thursday by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska in docket R-18-001. Commissioners voted unanimously for a proposed Alaska USF revamp that’s based on a plan by…
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the Alaska Telephone Association (see 1805300054). The revised rules, which cap the revenue-based USF surcharge at 10 percent, would sunset after June 30, 2023. The RCA started working through details of the plan Wednesday (see 1808080022). “My main priority is to kill the existing construct as soon as possible,” said Commissioner Robert Pickett, who led RCA’s work on the matter. “Quite frankly, the existing construct is just so far out of whack with the reality of the telecommunications industry in this state, it’s unbelievable.” Pickett won’t be on the commission in 2021, “but I would hope that the commission and the industry at that point in time will take a clear-eyed look at what is actually happening, particularly in rural Alaska.” Addressing contribution is key if AUSF still exists after 2023, he said.