In Reply Comments, WTA Reiterates Opposition to Proposed USAC E-Rate Portal

Today, WTA submitted reply comments to the FCC in response to its NPRM proposing the creation a portal managed by the Universal Service Administrative Company through which bid responses to FCC Form 470 would be submitted. In its initial comments, WTA expressed opposition to this proposal. In the replies, WTA expressed support for a series of reforms proposed by a group of small, rural broadband providers. The ideas would help eliminate the overbuilding of existing USF-supported facilities and other waste and “give smaller service providers effective and equitable notice and opportunities to participate in the E-Rate bidding process.”