(Feb 17) In comments in the FCC’s “Future of USF” proceeding, NTCA stated that the FCC should work to return the USF programs to their original function of not only facilitating construction of networks but also distributing ongoing support so that areas that become served stay served and in a manner that satisfies statutory mandates for rates and service quality. NTCA further proposed interagency coordination to ensure USF programs work in concert with financing programs overseen by other agencies and ways to recalibrate the service level commitments for the USF programs, and discussed as well the FCC’s authority to shore up the contribution mechanism.
