FCC Looking at USF Contributions, Wireline Chief Says; Lifeline Action Seen Soon
FCC Wireline Bureau Chief Kris Monteith said staff is examining USF contribution issues. "I think you'll see us acting" on USF contributions in the relatively near future, she said Thursday at an FCBA event. "It is being worked on." She…
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said Chairman Ajit Pai is focused on all USF programs and mechanisms and "how we can do better." Asked about a Lifeline rulemaking and possible action, Monteith "would expect you'd see something in the near term." Deputy Bureau Chief Lisa Hone said staff is particularly focused on matters that have deadlines, such as disputes over Aureon Network Services and South Dakota Network tariff filings and on a possible extension of a jurisdictional separations freeze that expires at year-end. Bureau officials noted Pai's goal of acting by year's end to firm up rural telco USF support mechanisms. Among the lobbying tips officials offered attorneys: when scheduling ex parte meetings, let the bureau know with some specificity the topic to be discussed so the appropriate staffers can attend; let staff know upfront if parties need action by a date certain; if parties have complaints about bureau actions, let the bureau know before going to commissioner offices; and make ex parte filings as complete as possible, because sometimes valuable input is provided in meetings but not cited in filings, meaning the FCC can't officially rely on it in making decisions.