Category: Blog

FCC to Increase Affordable Connectivity Program Benefit to $75 per Month

21 July 2023

The Infrastructure Structure and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act) became law in 2021, directing the FCC to establish the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Congress appropriated $14.2 billion to the Program to support discounted broadband service to qualifying low-income households by providing a monthly benefit of: (1) up to $30 per month; (2) up to $75 per month for eligible households on qualifying Tribal lands; or (3) up to $75 per month for eligible households in high-cost areas. In a Sixth Report and Order (Order) in Docket 21-450 that will be adopted at its August 3, 2023, meeting, the FCC will mandate rules to implement the up-to-$75 monthly ACP benefit in high-cost areas.

FCC will Mandate New Requirements for 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline

7 July 2023

At its upcoming meeting on July 20, 2023, the FCC is expected to promulgate new responsibilities for providers to improve the reliability and resiliency of the 988 suicide and crisis hotline (988 Lifeline). These will include new reporting and notice requirements for service outages potentially affecting 988 special facilities. They are similar to the existing requirements for outages that potentially affect 911 special facilities.

FCC News and Notes for June 2023

9 June 2023

In a special edition this week we look at the latest developments at the FCC, including the expected next commissioner, the latest broadband maps release and the upcoming Stir/Shaken requirements.

FCC Extends Robocall Rules to Additional Carriers 

23 May 2023

At its upcoming May 18, 2023, meeting, the FCC is poised to extend its robocall rules to even more carriers.  The creation of the new rules highlights the Seventh Report and Order (Order), Eighth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

FCC Will Issue Latest Order to Stop Access Arbitrage

20 April 2023

The FCC last attempted to address the issue of switched access arbitrage (also known as access stimulation) in 2019. Not surprisingly, it was not successful. As the agency ruefully notes, access arbitrage has been an ongoing problem

Fifth Circuit Court Finds Universal Service Fund Constitutional

6 April 2023

In a case that could have had tremendous repercussions for the industry, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans released a Opinion affirming the constitutionality of the universal service fund and the Universal Service Administrative Company.