The FCC Wireline Bureau approved Airvoice Wireless' revised compliance plans to continue providing Lifeline service, said a public notice Thursday in docket 11-42. The revised plan reflects Vtel Holdings' proposed acquisition of Airvoice and changes to commission rules since the approval of its previously approved compliance plan.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel named seven members to the Universal Service Administrative Co.'s board of directors, said a public notice Thursday in docket 96-45 (see personals section, this issue). The three-year terms begin Jan. 1. T-Mobile Director-Federal Regulatory Affairs Indra Sehdev Chalk's term as representative for commercial mobile radio service providers ends Dec. 31, 2022.
Don't require "universal, proactive opt-in" to participate in the affordable connectivity program, a coalition of advocacy groups asked FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a letter posted Thursday in docket 21-450 (see 2112090061). Among the signers were Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, the National Consumer Law Center and Public Knowledge. Households transitioning from the emergency broadband benefit program should receive "clear and repeated notice that the program is transitioning" so they can decide whether and how they want to participate in ACP, the groups said, saying the FCC should "immediately" establish an outreach grant program that Congress allowed.
Reject USF's Q1 contribution factor and set it at zero, said Consumers' Research, Cause Based Commerce and others in comments posted Wednesday in FCC docket 96-45 (see 2112130050). It's "an unconstitutional tax raised and spent by an unaccountable federal agency," the groups said, asking the agency to "do the same for all future proposed Universal Service contribution factors due to the illegality of this entire scheme and process." Consumers' Research challenged the Q4 contribution factor in October (see 2110050056).
An Arizona Corporation Commissioner is confused by Lumen’s name change from CenturyLink, per a Tuesday letter to CEO Jeff Storey in docket T-01051B-19-0001. “Why are your employees wearing Lumen uniforms in Arizona when services to residential and small business customers are still being offered under the CenturyLink brand?” asked the ACC's Sandra Kennedy: If employees drive vehicles labeled Lumen, “why do they not say CenturyLink?” Kennedy asked for a response by Thursday. Lumen declined to comment.
Convo Communications got recertification to provide video relay service through Dec. 20, 2026, said an FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau public notice Monday in docket 03-123 (see 2110150064).
The FCC Wireline Bureau made changes to its eligible services list for FY 2022, said an order listed in Monday’s Daily Digest. It clarified that E-rate funding applicants may request equipment and software together or separately under the “eligible broadband internal connections” section. It provided guidance on equipment and services covered by the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. The bureau declined to address requests that cybersecurity services and Wi-Fi services for school buses be added to the list.
The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau wants comments by Jan. 7, replies by Jan. 18, in docket 03-123 on Ariel GP Holdco and Sorenson Communications' application for conditional certification to provide video relay services supported by the Telecom Relay Service Fund, said a public notice listed in Monday’s Daily Digest. Ariel and Sorenson’s CaptionCall also seek conditional certification to provide IP captioned telephone service. Applications for full certification “will be filed after Ariel’s proposed acquisition of Sorenson and CaptionCall is consummated,” the PN said.
The FCC Wireline Bureau approved Cable One's takeover of Hargray and Delta Communications, with a grant made effective last week, said a docket 21-431 public notice Monday.
The FCC made several changes to its final NPRM establishing a central online portal for E-rate's competitive bidding process, according to our analysis of the draft (see 2112140062). Commissioners approved the item during the agency's December meeting, held on Tuesday. Among the changes are questions on whether a bidding portal would "help to promote fair and open competitive bidding and reduce fraud." The item also seeks comment on "how great the risk is that applicants or service providers may alter or ignore qualified bids to affect the bidding process." The NPRM asks whether the bidding portal should be treated as a "repository for bids that would permit applicants to upload bids received after the fact, but would not require service providers to submit bids through the portal." It also seeks comment on how the portal would interact with state and local procurement rules or procedures. There's a question about moving the portal's launch date to 2024 instead of the initially proposed 2025, a change sought by Commissioner Brendan Carr.