WTA Responds to Industry Comments in High Cost Program Proceeding

Today, WTA responded to comments made in the FCC’s proceeding proposing changes to the USF High Cost Program. While many commenters supported the goals and objectives of the High Cost Program, some contend that the FCC can eliminate or significantly reduce high-cost support based on claims that service has already been deployed to all locations or the marketplace and/or BEAD will solve the problem. WTA addresses those contentions in the comments filed today.

As a whole, the record establishes that the public interest will best be served by a USF broadband support program that reflects the fact that the nation benefits when everyone is connected via robust and reliable modern communications services at affordable rates. While we have made great progress in meeting that goal, this will continue to be an ongoing project. Unjustified high cost support reductions could create stranded investment, loan distress, higher rural rates, deferred maintenance, reduced facilities-based competition, and a less resilient national communications infrastructure. And once terrestrial broadband infrastructure is weakened or lost, rebuilding it may prove far more difficult and expensive than preserving it today.