Twelve members of the Congressional Black Caucus urged the FCC...
Twelve members of the Congressional Black Caucus urged the FCC to release the remaining Connect America Fund Phase I money. “We urge you to proceed promptly to finalize rules for CAF Phase I incremental support so that the $185 million…
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unclaimed in 2012 and the original $300 million in support that is anticipated for 2013 can be invested quickly,” said a letter sent Wednesday by Reps. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., G.K. Butterfield., D-N.C., and ten others. The caucus members represent both rural and urban districts, so CAF funding is “not just a rural issue,” said a CenturyLink spokeswoman. In total, 20 senators and 44 representatives have sent letters asking the FCC to release the CAF funds, she said. As an ILEC, CenturyLink would be eligible for additional Phase I funding. CLECs have opposed efforts of large telcos to expand the program. The American Cable Association “combed through the Price Cap LEC comments searching for data providing sufficient support for their proposals to expand the areas eligible for Phase I incremental support or use of support for second-mile fiber and found none,” said ACA President Matthew Polka. “Their proposed wholesale expansion of eligible areas from 768/200 Mbps broadband service to those lacking 4/1 Mbps is not supported by the data."