Insights: Broadband Legal Strategies Blog

AT&T’s Wisconsin Bell Settles Whistleblower Case for $55 Million

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:50:00 +0000

On March 12, 2026, Wisconsin Bell, an AT&T subsidiary, agreed to pay $55 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit.

FCC Requires Circumstances Outside Petitioners’ Control to Satisfy E-Rate “Extraordinary Circumstances Standard” for Late-Filed Invoices

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:40:00 +0000

On February 17, 2026, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) issued an order granting appeals for applicants whose requests for reimbursement were late-filed, despite being submitted before the USAC-generated invoice filing deadline.

FCC Grants Waiver of RHC Invoice Filing Deadline Where HCPs are Unable or Unwilling to Provide Service Delivery Certifications

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:37:00 +0000

On February 4, 2026, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB or Bureau) released an order granting an appeal filed by ENA Healthcare.

SAM.gov and UEI Invoicing Required as of August 2026 for Service Providers and E-Rate BEAR Filers

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:30:00 +0000

USAC will begin using the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) banking information to pay all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices in August 2026.

E-Rate In-Person Training Dates Announced: September 15 and 24

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:27:00 +0000

In its February news brief, USAC announced that in-person training for the E-Rate program will take place on September 15, 2026 in Phoenix and on September 24, 2026 in Washington, D.C. USAC will provide information on registration for these events in a future news brief.

Annual CPNI Certifications Due March 2

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:26:00 +0000

The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau issued an advisory on February 11, 2026, reminding all telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers of their obligation to file their annual certification documenting compliance with the Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) rules by March 2, 2026.

President Trump Issues Executive Order on AI

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 22:18:00 +0000

On December 11, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order (Order) to promote artificial intelligence (AI) and block states from enforcing laws to regulate AI.

FCC Adopts E-Rate Eligible Services List; E-Rate FY 2026 Filing Window Will Be Open From Jan. 21 to April 1

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:08:00 +0000

On December 17, 2025, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (the Bureau) released the E-Rate Eligible Services List (ESL) for Funding Year 2026.

Draft FY 2026 E-Rate Eligible Services List Seeks Comment on MIBS, BMIC

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:41:00 +0000

On September 30, the Wireline Competition Bureau released a public notice seeking comment on its proposed eligible services list (ESL) for funding year (FY) 2026.

FCC Eliminates Funding for Bus Wi-Fi, Hotspots for FY 2025 and Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:28:00 +0000

With Commissioner Anna Gomez dissenting, the FCC voted 2-1 on September 30 at the Commission’s monthly meeting to remove the eligibility of bus Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi hotspots outside of a school or library building from the E-Rate program.

Government Shutdown Closes FCC; USAC Remains Operational

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0000

After Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding the government, the Federal Communications Commission shut down at 12:01 Eastern on October 1.

Chairman Carr Proposes to Reverse E-Rate School Bus Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Hotspots Eligibility

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 20:36:00 +0000

On September 3, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced he is proposing to eliminate school bus Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi hotspot eligibility for E-Rate funding.

Working Group Seeks Comments on USF Fund

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 21:38:00 +0000

The Senate’s USF Working Group (Working Group) has reconvened to discuss possible Universal Service program reform.

Supreme Court Upholds USF Contribution Methodology

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 21:18:00 +0000

In a 6-3 decision on June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the federal universal service program’s contribution mechanism.

Senate Voted to Repeal E-Rate Wi-Fi Hotspots Order

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Thu, 08 May 2025 21:20:00 +0000

On May 8, 2025, the U.S. Senate voted along party lines to repeal the E-Rate Wi-Fi Hotspots Order.

FCC Provides Guidance to USAC on E-Rate Competitive Bidding Rules for Hotspot Equipment and Services

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:52:00 +0000

On December 20, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission directed USAC not to apply the Kalamazoo Reconsideration Order precedent to requests for Wi-Fi hotspots and/or the services and to find a competitive bidding violation if the applicant relies on a previously signed contract.

FCC Reminds ISPs of Broadband Label Display Deadline

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:54:00 +0000

On December 19, 2024, the Commission released a public notice reminding broadband internet service providers to display accurate broadband consumer labels for both wireless and wired retail standalone broadband services, at all points of sale in compliance with the Broadband Label Order.

E-Rate FY2025 Filing Window Opens January 15, Closes March 26

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:48:00 +0000

On December 16, 2023, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) announced that the application filing window for Funding Year 2024 FCC Form 471 will open January 15, 2025, at noon ET and will close on March 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Commissioner Carr Named New FCC Chair; Rosenworcel to Step Down in January

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 17:57:00 +0000

President-elect Trump has selected Commissioner Brendan Carr to serve as the next FCC chairman. On November 21, 2024, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that she will leave the FCC on January 20, 2025.

FCC Releases New RHC Telecom Invoicing Form

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 15:03:00 +0000

On October 15, 2024, the Bureau announced that it released a new invoicing form for the Rural Healthcare Telecommunications Program: the FCC Form 469, Description of Invoice and Request for Disbursement. Service providers will initiate the invoice process by submitting the Form 469 in RHC Connect, after each month of service or at the end of the funding year for all services provided during the funding year. USAC is offering trainings on how to use the new form and process.

E-Rate Administrative Window Opened Oct. 15

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:57:00 +0000

In its September News Brief, USAC announced that the E-Rate Administrative Window opened in EPC on October 15, 2024.

FCC Adopts E-Rate FY2025 ESL

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:47:00 +0000

On October 25, 2024, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (the Bureau) issued the Eligible Services List (ESL) for Funding Year 2025.

Oppositions to Petitions for Reconsideration of the E-Rate Hotspot Report and Order Due October 15

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:40:00 +0000

Two petitions for reconsideration of the E-Rate Hotspot Report and Order were separately filed by the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Schools and the Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition et al.

FCC Reminds Broadband Providers of Oct. 10 Display Label Deadline

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:53:00 +0000

On September 10, 2024, the Commission released a public notice reminding service providers with 100,000 or fewer subscribers to begin displaying broadband consumer labels in compliance with the Broadband Label Order on October 10, 2024.

E-Rate Wi-Fi Hotspots Further NPRM Comments Due Oct. 4, Replies Due Nov. 4

noreply@blogger.com (BBO) — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 18:16:00 +0000

On July 18, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted a report and order and further notice of proposed rulemaking (Order and Further NPRM) allowing schools and libraries to receive E-Rate support for Wi-Fi hotspots and services that can be used off-premises by students, school staff, and library patrons.