Gabriella Novello

Nearly seven in 10 households getting the FCC emergency broadband benefit chose to receive mobile broadband services rather than fixed broadband. Experts said in recent interviews that the trend is likely because most enrolled households participate in Lifeline.

More than 5 million households have enrolled to date in the FCC emergency broadband benefit program, the agency said Friday. Experts welcomed the more granular data about enrollment figures that accompanied the announcement and said the program may last 18 months.

Schools and libraries sought millions of dollars in FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund support during the initial application filing window, experts said in recent interviews (see 2106290050). Most applicants prioritized hot spots and connected devices, and some are hopeful for a second round of funding for prospective purchases.

Apollo’s purchase of Lumen’s ILEC assets is likely to close without any major conditions from the FCC, experts said in recent interviews (see 2108030077). Both companies said they expect the $7.5 billion deal to close in the second half of 2022.

Just 30 of 197 providers filed responses to letters from the FCC asking them to review certain census blocks provisionally won during the RDOF Phase I auction and consider withdrawing those bids by its Monday deadline. Most said they're willing to accept the offer if the commission agrees to waive any penalties.

Some winning Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction bidders asked the FCC to waive penalties if they decide to withdraw bids for census blocks that faced questions about whether service is already available. Bidders that won the smallest number of census blocks are among those that responded to the FCC accepting the offer so far.

FCC commissioners approved 4-0 an NPRM on modifying compensation methodology for IP relay service supported by the Telecom Relay Service Fund. It’s the first time in 14 years the commission is considering such new TRS methodology. The current IP relay compensation period ends June 30.

Some FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction bidders that received letters allowing them to withdraw certain bids without penalties said in recent interviews they plan to keep their provisionally won bids (see 2107260044). One big RDOF winner, LTD Broadband, told us it may take up the agency on its request. Experts said RDOF Phase II may not start for months as a result.

Industry and advocates backed restoring reimbursement for Lifeline voice support. Comments posted Tuesday in docket 11-42 on NASUCA’s petition for FCC reconsideration of the 2016 Lifeline order on phasedown of voice-only support. Comments were due Monday (see 2106280011). Voice service is “an essential service and should be fully supported through the Lifeline program,” NASUCA said. "Affordable voice service remains essential for low-income households," said the National Lifeline Association, which CTIA echoed. The California Public Utilities Commission agreed: voice service is "essential" in areas where broadband affordability and access are obstacles. Lifeline users "will be forced to buy broadband bundles, which may be unaffordable to them or unwanted" if voice-only support is no longer available, said NTCA. The Wireline Bureau's recent Lifeline market report (see 2107060056) "confirms our early observation that voice services would continue to be popular with and needed by Lifeline recipients," said Free Press.

Lumen agreed to sell its incumbent LEC business in 20 states to Apollo Global Management for $7.5 billion including debt assumption, the telco announced Tuesday. The carrier would retain its ILEC assets in 16 states, plus its national fiber routes and competitive LEC networks. See our earlier news bulletin about this transaction here.