tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13751054.post5374161979729367183..comments2023-06-08T11:58:31.030-04:00Comments on On-Tech E-Rate Musings: Major Change in the NeighborhoodOn-Techhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13423450823765892451noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13751054.post-66656504431015987512015-03-12T14:05:15.900-04:002015-03-12T14:05:15.900-04:00The order is out:
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_...The order is out:<br />http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0312/FCC-15-24A1.pdf<br /><br />Will ISPs have to pay into the fund? Not yet, but paragraph 490 says: "...we<br />limit our action only to forbearing from applying the first sentence of section 254(d) and our implementing rules insofar as they would immediately require new universal service contributions for broadband Internet access services sold to end users but not insofar as they authorize the Commission to require such contributions in a rulemaking in the future. Thus, while broadband Internet access services will not be subject to new universal service contributions at this time, our action today is not intended to prejudge or limit how the Commission may proceed in the future"On-Techhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13423450823765892451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13751054.post-65651014313265194302015-02-27T16:46:19.665-05:002015-02-27T16:46:19.665-05:00Well, now you can read the statements from Commiss...Well, now you can read the statements from Commissioners Pai (http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0226/DOC-332260A5.pdf) and O'Riely (http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0226/DOC-332260A6.pdf). And in case 6 pages is too long for you, Commissioner Pai has a one-page summary with bullet points (http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0226/DOC-332280A1.pdf).<br /><br />They're both good reads. Pai has great sound bites ("So why is the FCC turning its back on Internet freedom?"), and O'Rielly coins the term "fauxbearance."<br /><br />But to cut to what matters: did they give us any info on how the E-Rate might be affected? While the official summary of the order says, "the Order DOES NOT require broadband providers to contribute to the Universal Service Fund," Pai points out that it doesn't say broadband providers won't pay into the fund, only that the decision will be made later. He says that the later decision will be to have broadband providers contribute. I think he's a pessimist, but that doesn't mean he's wrong. Pai says we'll see a decision in April.On-Techhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13423450823765892451noreply@blogger.com