Telco executives criticized the Connect America Fund Phase I process...
Telco executives criticized the Connect America Fund Phase I process that doled out only $115 million of the $300 million allocated for broadband buildout (CD July 25 p3). The FCC did not apply a principle of “technology neutrality,” so only…
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ten companies were eligible for that support, said NCTA Vice President Jennifer McKee at a Broadband Breakfast event Tuesday. In contrast, Phase I of the Mobility Fund made $300 million available in an open competitive bidding process to all wireless providers, and virtually all of that money was claimed, she said. The commission should “learn the lesson that it’s better to have more people able participate in a process if you actually want to meet your goals of getting broadband out quickly,” she said. “The money that wasn’t taken isn’t doing anything to expand access for anybody right now,” said Tim Donovan, vice president-legislative affairs for the Competitive Carriers Association. Jeffrey Lanning, CenturyLink assistant vice president-federal regulatory, said the $300 million CAF Phase I fund was “kind of thrown together” at the end of the process. Even though only $115 million was accepted, the full $300 million “will all be used,” he said, noting the commission is currently looking at a notice of proposed rulemaking to tweak the rules going forward.