Today's Regulatory Mix: New York Legislation Requires Affordable Broadband, USAC Urges EBB Program Participants to Submit Zip Codes, Verizon Granted Limited EBB Program Reimbursement Waiver  

New York Legislation Requires Affordable Broadband 

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation requiring affordable internet for qualifying low-income families. This legislation requires providers operating in New York State to offer $15/month high-speed internet to low-income families across the state. New Yorkers qualifying for this affordable internet program include households who are eligible or receiving free or reduced-price lunch, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, Medicaid benefits, the senior citizen or disability rent increase exemptions, or an affordability benefit from a utility. 

USAC Urges EBB Program Participants to Submit Zip Codes 

Participating providers in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) are urged to supply USAC the zip codes associated with their EBB Program service areas. This information will populate the “Companies Near Me” tool so consumers can identify participating EBB Program providers near them.  USAC has provided this form for participating providers, which can then be emailed to EBBElection@usac.org. 

FCC Grants Verizon Limited EBB Program Reimbursement Waiver 

The FCC granted Verizon Communications, Inc.'s request for a limited waiver of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) reimbursement rules.  Verizon had asked for a waiver to allow it an extra month to submit the initial reimbursement claim for newly enrolled subscribers.  Rules require providers to submit reimbursement for claims within 15 days of the first "snapshot date" on which a subscriber is enrolled, requiring the initial claim to be submitted before a bill had been generated for the service. Verizon explained that its existing system can only determine the reimbursement amount for a newly enrolled subscriber in an automated manner after a bill has been issued with the EBBP discount, but that may not occur in time for Verizon to prepare and certify the reimbursement claim by the 15-day deadline.  With the waiver, Verizon now has until the 15th day of the month following the first snapshot date.  

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.