WTA Files Reply Comments on USF FNPRM and Tribal Plan

Today, WTA filed reply comments with the FCC in regards to the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Universal Service Fund Reform released in March. WTA’s comments reiterate its support for sufficient USF support for small, rate-of-return carriers.

In addition, in regards to the important objective of bringing broadband to Native American communities, WTA concurs with the “Tribal Broadband Factor” concept proposed by National Tribal Telecommunications Association. WTA believes that all Federal Indian reservations be eligible additional support making use of the Tribal Broadband Factor mechanism and all ETCs that serve all or part of a Federal Indian reservation – whether such ETCs are owned in whole, in part, or not at all by the Tribe or Tribes living on the reservation – would have the option whether or not to participate in the Tribal mechanism.