FCC Releases Universal Service Fund Reform Order

StimulatingBroadband.com 11/18/2011 San Francisco - The Federal Communications Commission today released its much anticipated Order reforming the Universal Fund and Intercarrier Compensation system. Taken together, the two complex systems of charges and funding support the operations of the vast majority of rural telecom carriers in the nation. 


In a move guaranteed to allow their private sector colleagues in the federal communi- cations bar to bill beaucoup hours over the weekend, Commission staff released the 759 page document at just past 6:00 PM this evening, Washington time.


The Commission adopted the Order at its meeting of October 27 by unanimous vote, but waited until today to release the full document as staff refined final text in the interim.


The Order launches the new Connect America Fund (CAF), first announced in the Commission's National Broadband Plan of last year. CAF is intended by the Commission to fund the build-out of extended broadband networks to rural areas, with a special emphasis on mobile broadband deployed by carriers eligible for funding.  


FCC-11-161A1 - Order




StimulatingBroadband.com