The FCC Wireline Bureau extended through April 30 its COVID-19 pandemic waiver of Lifeline recertification and reverification requirements for subscribers residing on tribal lands, said an order Monday in docket 11-42 (see 2301170051). The bureau also extended the waiver to tribal households participating in the affordable connectivity program, noting such subscribers "may have been required to respond to ACP recertification outreach during the waiver period."

Oppositions to Sorenson Communication's petition for reconsideration of certain video relay service and IP captioned telephone service rules are due Feb. 15, replies to opposition Feb. 27, in docket 03-123, said a notice for Tuesday's Federal Register (see 2301120060). Sorenson sought reconsideration of rules requiring providers to terminate services for new users unable to complete the registration process within the two-week grace period and certain porting rules.

Bandwidth asked the FCC to "strengthen its access arbitrage rules" and "promote direct IP interconnection and settlement-free exchange of balanced traffic," in a letter posted Friday in docket 18-155 (see 2209070072). IP-enabled service providers "should be able to determine an inbound/outbound traffic ratio for each switch," it said, asking the FCC to provide examples of "or equivalent" about the end office trigger of its proposed rules to "avoid gaming of the system." Bandwidth agreed with AT&T that "bringing IPES providers with direct numbering resources within the scope of the rules may make the 'serving end users' language unnecessary."

The FCC task force to prevent digital discrimination unveiled a form for consumers to share their broadband experiences online, said a news release Wednesday. Commissioners adopted an NPRM in December seeking comment on rules to facilitate equal access (see 2301190049). “We want to give consumers the opportunity to share their first-hand experiences and challenges getting and staying online," said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The form asks consumers to includes information that "describes the challenges that you have experienced, including those due to a provider’s practices and polices related to certain terms and conditions of service."

The FCC Enforcement Bureau directed Twilio to stop carrying suspected illegal robocall traffic it apparently received from PhoneBurner and MV Realty regarding mortgages to homeowners. Twilio is the largest provider yet to receive a cease-and-desist letter, said a Tuesday news release. The bureau said MV Realty operators "offered cash to homeowners in a purported exchange for giving MV Realty an exclusive right to list the homeowner’s property for sale." It identified nearly 12 million calls made to phone numbers on the do not call registry.

The FCC Wireline Bureau granted 37 appeals from E-rate participants about ministerial errors associated with their invoices submitted to the Universal Service Administrative Co., said an order Friday in docket 02-6. The bureau directed USAC to review appeals regarding ministerial and clerical errors moving forward instead of requiring petitioners to file waivers with the commission. It also granted Wake County Public Schools' petition for reconsideration, noting the school district "raises new facts demonstrating that we should grant the appeal."

The FCC committed more than $40 million in additional Emergency Connectivity Fund support Thursday. The new funding will support more than 275 schools, 15 libraries and five consortiums from the third application filing window, said a news release. “This program has equipped millions of students with the digital tools they need for afterschool homework and connecting with teachers,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel: “Today’s funding round is another step in our ongoing work to close the homework gap.”

The FCC wants comments by Feb. 21, replies March 21, on an NPRM proposing rules on digital discrimination, said a notice for Friday's Federal Register. Commissioners adopted the item in December (see 2212210054).

AT&T asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to review the FCC's November order resolving a pole attachment complaint the carrier filed against Duke Energy. In its petition (case 23-1010), AT&T said the FCC's order denied it "the full relief it sought" by requiring it to "pay a substantially higher rate for use of Duke’s poles than the just, reasonable, and fully compensatory new telecom rate AT&T’s competitors pay for use of comparable space on the same utility poles." It asked the court to vacate the order and "provide such additional relief as may be just and proper." The companies are also seeking reconsideration of the order in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (see 2212290050).

The FCC Wireline Bureau completed its review of Connect America Fund Phase II auction long-form applications, said a Thursday public notice in docket 17-182. The bureau authorized $1.48 billion for 195 applicant state combinations. It also made available the additional information submitted by long-form applicants.