Alaska Telcos Seek Comprehensive State USF Reform
Carriers urged a comprehensive Alaska USF overhaul by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. Seeking to stem USF bleeding of funds, the RCA asked for feedback on a short-term USF fix to change rules about what to do in a USF…
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shortage (see 1706300049). In comments Monday in docket R-17-001, AT&T, GCI and a rural telco coalition said they’d prefer more comprehensive USF changes. "Although AT&T understands the Commission’s desire to carve out a small area -- prioritizing disbursement of AUSF -- for a ‘quick’ rulemaking, it is difficult to do this without creating unintended consequences that impact other aspects of the fund,” commented AT&T, which receives no Alaska USF support. “By not addressing all aspects of the AUSF, the Commission is creating regulatory uncertainty for providers that depend on disbursements from the fund as well as for those providers that contribute to the fund." The Alaska Telephone Association (ATA), GCI and the rural telcos said they supported, in the case of a USF shortage, a proposal to distribute funds pro-rata based on recipients' aggregated claim for support. "Pro rata distribution of funds is fair to all AUSF recipients and is appropriate,” GCI said. The RCA should have a technical workshop to examine proposed changes to the $27 million fund, ATA commented: “Without a thorough examination, unintended consequences are likely to emerge and administration of the fund could be hindered.”