(Feb 1) Citing questions concerning fixed wireless provision of gigabit broadband, NTCA filed with the FCC an engineering study that sets forth parameters within which the FCC can evaluate applications to provide high-capacity broadband service, including specifications surrounding interference and...
(Jan. 25) In comments regarding the criteria broadband providers and consumers should meet to participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit program (“EBB”), NTCA asserted the FCC can and should adopt provider participation rules that are administratively simple and that safeguard...
(Jan. 11) In reply comments, NTCA stated that providing location information with a 988 call will require resolution of many technical, funding, and policy challenges and thus the North American Numbering Council should form a working group to explore them...
On December 28, NTCA filed comments with the Rural Wireless Association (RWA) seeking reconsideration of the FCC's decision to exclude areas from eligibility for support in the 5G Fund Phase I auction based upon where new mobile coverage data submitted...
(Dec. 21) NTCA pointed to widespread support for a petition for rulemaking to examine enabling ACAM recipients to recover the costs of providing rural consumers with faster speeds. NTCA also noted that attempts by one association to frame CAF II...
(Dec. 18) NTCA and the Fiber Broadband Association partnered to urge the FCC to define higher fixed broadband benchmarks that would better meet consumer use and needs. Ex Parte Filing by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and the Fiber Broadband Association...
(Dec. 17) Noting supply chain delays and potential barriers to entering subscriber homes during COVID increases, NTCA requested relief for A-CAM 1 and Alaska Plan companies, among others, that are scheduled to begin “pre-testing” in 2021. NTCA suggested an approach...
(Dec. 14) In a letter to the FCC, NTCA refreshed its request for relaxed financial reporting requirements for ACAM companies. Referring to its petition for rulemaking filed last October, NTCA noted that no party has filed opposition to the request...
On December 7, NTCA filed reply comments with the Rural Wireless Association reemphasizing the need for the FCC to auction the 3.45 GHz spectrum on a county-by-county basis to allow small providers an opportunity to acquire licenses at the auction...
(Dec. 4) Citing increasing demand for broadband, NTCA supported a petition for expedited rulemaking to leverage existing ACAM support mechanism to provide enhanced broadband service in rural areas. Expanding Broadband Service Through the ACAM Program, RM No. 11868 Connect America...
NTCA met separately with advisors to several Commissioners as well as Wireline Competition Bureau staff to cost recovery shortfalls implicated by pending phasedowns of Lifeline support for voice-only customers. NTCA expressed its desire to work with the Commission to ensure...
In joint comments, NTCA proposed county-by-county licensing for 3.45 GHz in order to allow small businesses the opportunity to acquire licenses in this auction. NTCA highlighted the significant number of winning bidders in the Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) Priority...
On November 18, NTCA asked the FCC to adjust pre-testing protocols for carriers receiving high-cost Universal Service Fund support to reflect delayed acquisition and distribution of performance measurement testing equipment as the pandemic continues to disrupt supply chains and COVID...
In comments to the Rural Utilities Service, NTCA supported additional coordination between USDA and FCC broadband programs to ensure effective application of resources to build reliable broadband networks while avoiding duplicative deployments. Special Authority to Enable Funding of Broadband, RUS-20-Telecom-0022...
In a letter filed on November 3, NTCA reiterated the need for a forthcoming FCC report to Congress on the status of STIR/SHAKEN implementation to include a discussion of barriers to nationwide implementation of this technology. Despite calls for the...
In a letter to the FCC, NTCA reiterated the need for meaningful accountability for all providers’ coverage claims and a focus on ensuring that the FCC’s broadband maps and forthcoming Section 706 reports at all times provide a complete and...
In comments on the effectiveness of rules intended to prevent rural call blocking, NTCA reported that while industry reports indicate that rural call competition problems have improved, they have not yet ceased and continued investigation and work is warranted. Rural...
Alongside industry consultants and engineers, NTCA met with FCC staff to discuss reporting broadband deployments made prior to May 2016. Citing prior FCC reports indicating plans to enable the HUBB portal to acknowledge pre-2016 buildouts, NTCA explained the value of...
In a petition for rulemaking, NTCA called upon the FCC to foster regulatory parity by establishing similar financial reporting requirements for all providers receiving model-based or other forms of fixed-amount high-cost support. Connect America Fund, Docket No. 10-90 ETC Annual...
Senior leadership from NTCA and USTelecom discussed their oppositions to potential detariffing of SLC and ARC charges with FCC staff. Ex Parte Notice, WC Docket No. 20-71, Eliminating Ex Ante Pricing Regulation and Tariffing of Telephone Access Charges
