FCC Eases Rural Internet Funding Reports for Three Years
Published Date: 2/24/2025
Rule
Summary
The FCC just gave the green light to updated rules for the Connect America Fund and related programs, helping telecom companies get support to improve internet and phone service, especially in Alaska and rural areas. These changes kick in on February 24, 2025, and will last for three years, making it easier for carriers to report and qualify for funding. If you’re a telecom provider, get ready to follow the new reporting rules and keep the connections flowing!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Quarterly Speed/Latency Reports Due Fast
If you receive high-cost universal service support, you must test your network for speed and latency and submit quarterly testing results to USAC within two weeks after the end of each quarter. This quarterly reporting schedule (replacing the prior annual requirement) is part of the rule amendments effective February 24, 2025.
Compliance Workload and Time Estimates
The Commission estimates 1,705 unique respondents with 7,681 responses, an estimated 15–23 hours per response, and total annual burden of 170,620 hours; the collection was approved by OMB on November 5, 2024 under OMB Control Number 3060-1265 and expires November 30, 2027. The filing frequencies include biennial, quarterly, and annual reports, and responses are required to obtain or retain benefits.
Who Selects Test Locations
Carriers must identify active subscriber locations already reported in USAC's HUBB; USAC will then select a random sample from those locations for performance testing. If a carrier does not provide location information in HUBB, the carrier will use a USAC randomization tool to pick test locations.
E-ACAM Carriers: Non-HUBB Sampling Rule
Enhanced Alternative-Connect America Cost Model (E-ACAM) carriers have a process to obtain a performance testing sample from locations not reported in HUBB and must report and certify those performance measures within two weeks after the end of each quarter. This revision is part of the adopted E-ACAM support mechanism changes.
Testing Sample Cycle and Location Updates
A carrier's testing sample for each service tier must be regenerated every two years, and carriers may add or remove subscriber locations during that two-year cycle as subscribership changes. These rules apply to the service-tier samples (for example, 10 Mbps/1 Mbps or 25 Mbps/3 Mbps).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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