FCC Draft Order To Update and Expand Rural USF Mechanisms Circulating

A draft FCC order to revamp rural carrier USF mechanisms is circulating, commission officials confirmed Wednesday, declining to offer details. The draft order had been expected as some stakeholders made progress toward an agreement with key commission officials (see 1602040055 and 1602080050). FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Mike O'Rielly have been consulting with rural telco groups on making broadband-oriented changes to update legacy rate-of-return USF mechanisms and provide carriers with a new alternative based on a cost model.