Bulletins

Chairman Tom Wheeler hereby appoints six members to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). In a public notice released October 16, 2015, the Wireline Competition Bureau solicited nominations for the Board member positions listed below in accordance with section 54.703(c) of the Commission's rules.

Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the FCC to determine whether "advanced telecommunications capability" -- broadband -- is being deployed to all Americans in a "reasonable and timely fashion." If the answer is negative, the Act requires the FCC to "take immediate action" to speed deployment. Following is a summary of Chairman Wheeler’s draft of the 2016 Broadband Progress Report, which he is circulating to his fellow commissioners for their consideration at the January 28 Open Meeting.

Pursuant to our procedure for resolving requests for review, requests for waiver, and petitions for reconsideration of decisions related to actions taken by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that are consistent with precedent (collectively, Requests), the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) grants, dismisses, or denies the following Requests.1 The deadline for filing petitions for reconsideration or applications for review concerning the disposition of any of these Requests is 30 days from release of this Public Notice.

On December 15, 2014, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) Managing Director provided guidance (see DA 14-1820) to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) concerning maintenance of cash reserves for meeting funding commitments for the Schools and Libraries Support Mechanism. Consistent with this guidance, USAC has determined that a projected $1.9 billion will be available to carry-forward to Schools and Libraries Support Mechanism funding year (FY) 2016. Utilizing the agreed upon methodology, $1,357 million is projected from the Funding Years 2013 and prior, $355 million is projected from FY 2014 and $188 million is projected from FY 2015 to be available for carry-forward to FY 2016.

In this Public Notice, the Office of Managing Director (OMD) announces that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the first quarter of 2016 will be 0.182 or 18.2 percent.

Streamlined Resolution of Requests Related to Actions by the Universal Service Administration Company
CC Docket No. 96-45
CC Docket No. 02-6
WC Docket No. 02-60
WC Docket No. 96-45
WC Docket No. 08-71

Pursuant to our procedure for resolving requests for review, requests for waiver, and petitions for reconsideration of decisions related to actions taken by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that are consistent with precedent (collectively, Requests), the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) grants, dismisses, or denies the following Requests. The deadline for filing petitions for reconsideration or applications for review concerning the disposition of any of these Requests is 30 days from release of this Public Notice.

Pursuant to section 54.703(c) of the Commission's rules, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks nominations for the following Board member positions on the Board of Directions of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) listed below for a three-year term.

Effective November 1, 2015, Chairman Tom Wheeler appoints twelve members to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). In a public notice released July 16, 2015, the Wireline Competition Bureau solicited nominations for the Board member positions listed below in accordance with section 54.703(c) of the Commission’s rules.1

Pursuant to our procedure for resolving requests for review, requests for waiver, and petitions for reconsideration of decisions related to actions taken by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that are consistent with precedent (collectively, Requests), the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) grants, dismisses, or denies the following Requests. The deadline for filing petitions for reconsideration or applications for review concerning the disposition of any of these Requests is 30 days from release of this Public Notice.

In this Public Notice, the Office of Managing Director (OMD) announces that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the fourth quarter of 2015 will be 0.167 or 16.7 percent.

Streamlined resolution of requests related to actions by the Universal Service Administration Company
CC Docket No. 96-45
CC Docket No. 97-21
CC Docket No. 02-6
WC Docket No. 06-122

The Federal Communications Commission will be performing Information Technology upgrades and improvements from 6 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 2, 2015, through the Labor Day weekend. This work should be completed by 8 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.

Streamlined Resolution of Requests Related to Actions by the Universal Service Administrative Company.

A lawsuit can proceed against the company for allegedly failing to offer the required discounts to schools and libraries, says an appeals court.

Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Nominations for Twelve Board Member Positions on the Universal Service Administrative Company Board of Directors.

Today, the President will travel to Durant, Oklahoma, to announce ConnectHome, a new initiative with communities, the private sector, and federal government to expand high speed broadband to more families across the country. The pilot program is launching in twenty-seven cities and one tribal nation and will initially reach over 275,000 low-income households – and nearly 200,000 children – with the support they need to access the Internet at home. Internet Service Providers, non-profits and the private sector will offer broadband access, technical training, digital literacy programs, and devices for residents in assisted housing units.

E-Rate Central submits these Reply Comments in response to the FCC’s Public Notice released May 21, 2015 (designated DA 15-615) seeking comment on USAC’s proposed Eligible Services List (“ESL”) for Funding Year 2016.

Washington, D.C. (June 18, 2015) – The Federal Communications Commission today took significant steps to modernize its Lifeline program, seeking comment on restructuring the program to better support 21st Century communications while building on existing reforms to continue strengthening protections against waste, fraud and abuse.