Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Announces Phase I Rural Auction Winners, FCC Submits Report on Status of Reassigned Number Database
FCC Announces Phase I Rural Auction Winners
The FCC has announced the winning bidders for Phase 1 of its Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction. The FCC stated that millions of rural Americans in 49 states and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will gain access to high-speed Internet service through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction. Auction results released today show that bidders won funding to deploy high-speed broadband to over 5.2 million unserved homes and businesses, almost 99% of the locations available in the auction. Moreover, 99.7% of these locations will be receiving broadband with speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps, with an overwhelming majority (over 85%) getting gigabit-speed broadband.
A broad range of providers successfully competed in the Phase I auction, including cable operators, electric cooperatives, incumbent telephone companies, satellite companies, and fixed wireless providers. And the FCC’s structuring of the reverse auction yielded significant savings, as competitive bidding among over 300 providers yielded an allocation of $9.2 billion in support out of the $16 billion set aside for Phase I of the auction. Importantly, the $6.8 billion in potential Phase I support that was not allocated will be rolled over into the future Phase II auction, which now can draw upon a budget of up to $11.2 billion in targeting partially-served areas (and the few unserved areas that did not receive funding through Phase I).
“I’m thrilled with the incredible success of this auction, which brings welcome news to millions of unconnected rural Americans who for too long have been on the wrong side of the digital divide. They now stand to gain access to high-speed, high-quality broadband service,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.
Learn about Inteserra's RDOF Support Services
FCC Submits Report on Status of Reassigned Number Database
The FCC has issued its report to congress on the status of the reassigned number database. In 2018 the FCC authorized establishment of the Reassigned Numbers Database (Database or RND) to prevent consumers from receiving unwanted calls intended for someone who previously held their number. Once operational, the Database will provide comprehensive and timely information to enable callers to avoid making calls to reassigned numbers, thereby potentially avoiding costly and time consuming litigation. Congress directed the FCC to report on the status of its efforts to create the Database. In this Report, the FCC describes its efforts to establish the Database to date; the technical and operational guidance that guide the scope of its procurement of a Database Administrator; Database funding; and the requirements for aging of numbers, recordkeeping, and reporting permanent disconnection data to the Database. FCC staff have made significant progress toward making the Database operational since the FCC authorized its creation in December 2018. The FCC has awarded a contract to SomosGov, Inc. to develop the Database, and anticipates the Database may be operational as early as June 2021.
Recent Briefings from Inteserra!
- Colorado Issues New Temporary 9-1-1 Surcharge Related Rules; Amends TRS Rules
- FCC Announces Changes To STIR/SHAKEN Caller ID Authentication Governance Framework
- FCC Announces Effective Date of New Call Authentication Rules
- FCC Issues ICS Enforcement Advisory
- Maine Orders Carriers to Donate Certain Number Blocks
- New Mexico Revises USF Rules
