Upcoming Dates:
| August 4 |
The Form 486 deadline for FY 2022 Wave 51. More generally, the Form 486 deadline is 120 days from the FCDL date or from the service start date (typically July 1st), whichever is later. Upcoming Form 486 deadlines are:
Wave 52 08/11/2023
Wave 53 08/18/2023
The first Form 486 deadline for FY 2023, for FCDLs issued on or before July 1st — normally October 29th (which is a Sunday this year) — will be Monday, October 30, 2023. |
| August 25 |
Due date for requested comments to the Senate’s Universal Service Fund (“USF”) Working Group (see article below). |
| August 29 |
Invoice deadline for most Window 1 and Window 2 committed FRNs with service delivery deadlines of June 30, 2023. For details on other upcoming invoice deadlines, see USAC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund Invoice Deadline Tool. |
Senate Committee Seeks Comments on USF Reform:
The Universal Service Fund (“USF”) funding mechanism, supporting E-rate and three other USF programs is broken. As we have reported quarterly (most recently in our newsletter of June 19th), the contribution factor, paid by telecommunications companies, has ballooned in recent years up to the 30% level and threatens to rise still further. The FCC has taken no concrete steps to address the problem, perhaps, some would argue, other than to constrain funding for E-rate that is needed to support cybersecurity.
A small Senate subcommittee is now starting to explore alternatives. In May of 2023, Senators Luján (D, NM) and Thune (R, SD) convened a hearing titled “The State of Universal Service” to hear from expert stakeholders on the importance of, and necessary reforms to, the USF programs. Last week, the subcommittee issued a call for comments on the following topics:
- How should Congress and the Commission evaluate the effectiveness of the existing USF programs in achieving universal service goals for broadband?
- To what extent have the existing USF programs been effective in carrying out section 254 of the Communications Act of 1994?
- Is the FCC’s administration of the USF and its four programs sufficiently transparent and accountable?
- What reforms are necessary to address inefficiencies and waste, fraud, and abuse in each of the four programs and duplication with other government programs?
- What additional policies beyond existing programs are necessary for the preservation and advancement of universal service?
- Should Congress eliminate the requirement that a provider must be an “Eligible Telecommunications Carrier” to receive USF subsidies?
- What reforms are necessary to ensure that the contribution factor is sufficient to preserve and advance universal service?
- What actions are necessary and appropriate to improve coordination between USF programs and other programs?
- Is the USF administrator, USAC, sufficiently accountable and transparent?
- Is Congressional guidance needed to ensure future high-cost program rollouts?
The due date for comments is August 25, 2023.