NTCA Clarifies It Seeks One Rural USF Model Order, Followed by Fine-Tuning During Implementation
NTCA clarified Thursday it believes the FCC can adopt a single order relatively soon to set the rules for giving rural rate-of-return carriers the option of receiving USF support based on a broadband cost model, fix a "stand-alone broadband problem,"…
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and adopt some other changes to legacy mechanisms. NTCA believes a second, later order would be needed, but not to nail down further model details; instead, it believes the FCC can make technical refinements to the model as it implements the first order -- including by conducting a "challenge process" to RLEC high-cost areas -- and addresses other issues, NTCA Senior Vice President-Policy Mike Romano told us Thursday. Romano was reacting to a Communications Daily story that said NTCA had proposed a "two-step path" for adopting a rate-of return model-based support option (see 1512160060). He acknowledged there was a "semantics" issue in how different phases and actions could be described. NTCA does believe the FCC should take more time to adopt an order on its proposed "bifurcated approach" to updating legacy rate-of-return USF support that would be available for RLECs not opting for model-based support, Romano said. NTCA believes a Further NPRM would be helpful on the bifurcated approach, but isn't necessary on the model, he said.