WTA, RLECs Push for Evidentiary Burden on Challengers to CAF Support
WTA and rural telcos said certain evidentiary burdens should be placed on competitors challenging broadband-oriented Connect America Fund subsidy support for rate-of-return carriers. Home Telephone and LICT officials "indicated that there are substantial differences between the theoretical and actual service…
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areas and broadband speeds of many fixed wireless service providers," including wireless ISPs, said a WTA filing posted in docket 10-90 Thursday on discussions with an aide to Chairman Tom Wheeler and Wireline Bureau staffers in which TDS Telecom and Totah Communications officials also participated. "Factors such as technology, tower heights, frequency bands, antennas and antenna patterns, terrain, foliage, weather and backhaul facilities can significantly affect fixed wireless coverage, broadband capacity and signal quality." WTA, which has filed a petition for reconsideration of a March order, said fixed wireless providers seeking classification as "unsubsidized competitors" (the presence of which negates incumbent funding) should be required to submit a list of towers serving specific census blocks with various details. It said all fixed wireless and wireline providers seeking such status "should be required to substantiate their ability to provide quality and reliable service" through certain steps. WTA filings on meetings with other commissioner aides were posted here.