WTA Joins Other Trade Associations in Asking FCC to Modify Letter of Credit Requirements for RDOF

Today, seven trade associations representing various broadband providers, including WTA, sent a letter to the FCC asking for modifications to the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) draft rules regarding letters of credit. The letter warns that if modifications to the letter of credit requirements are not made, “many companies could be effectively barred from participation in the auction and those that do will not be able to bid on the full amount of locations they might otherwise be able to serve because of the difficulties in obtaining and the cost of the required credit.” The associations “urge the Commission to implement more targeted mechanisms for effective risk management that will not deter or prevent their participation.”

The FCC plans to vote on the RDOF Order at its January 30 Open Meeting.