Rural Associations file Petition for Reconsideration on E-rate Bidding Requirement for USF Support Recipients

Today, the Rural Associations filed a Petition for Reconsideration and/or Clarification requesting that the Federal Communications Commission reconsider its requirement adopted in the Second E-rate Modernization Order that Universal Service Fund support recipients bid to provide fixed broadband access service to schools and libraries in the geographic service area for which they receive support at rates at or below yet-to-be determined “national reasonable comparability” benchmarks. Alternatively, the Rural Associations request clarification that the Wireline Competition Bureau will consider the unique recurring costs associated with providing service in rural areas in developing the benchmarks, as well as clarification that the new requirement will not take effect until after such benchmarks are developed pursuant to a full notice and comment proceeding.