Pumping irony

And we have a new record: 3,912 days to decide on a request for a deadline waiver.  Faithful readers will know I revel in the irony of the FCC taking years to deny appeals because they were filed a few days late.  This case is a little different, because the FCC actually granted the waiver.  The appeal decision gives a nice synopsis of the case, so it's worth a read, but here's the timeline:

• February 4, 1998: ICN (Iowa Communications Network) petitions FCC to be a common carrier
• February 18, 1999: FCC releases ICN Declatory Order, denying ICN petition
• February 19, 1999: USAC starts denying all Telecommunications Service FRNs involving ICN
• February 26, 1999: applicants start appealing denials
• ?1999: Iowa sues in District Court to get the ICN Declaratory Order overturned
• June 27, 2000: District court remands ICN Declatory Order
• December 2000: FCC reverses ICN Declaratory Order
• November 28, 2001: USAC denies most of the appeals because they were filed more than 30 days after denial
• December 6, 2001: Iowa appeals denials to FCC, requests appeal deadline waiver
• August 21, 2012:  FCC grants appeal

Well, at least it was granted.