mondaq.com
FCC Revises Local Competition and Broadband Reporting Form
In November, the FCC made significant revisions to its Local Competition and Broadband Reporting Form (Form 477). First, the Commission extended the reporting program for five years beyond its current expiration in March 2005. Second, the Commission eliminated existing reporting thresholds in order to obtain information on rural, underserved areas and from all local exchange carriers, all mobile telephone carriers, and all facilities-based broadband providers. As a result, many rural ILECs, wireless Internet service providers, and municipalities will now be required to file Form 477. Third, the Commission will now require more detailed reporting by speed tiers and by zip code, identification of situations in which broadband is bundled with other services, and separate reporting of different technologies (broadband over power line, DSL, cable modem, etc.).
These changes will be effective with the September 2005 Form 477 filings, and the Commission stated its intent to engage in outreach to smaller companies that will be required to report as a result of these changes. Although the Commission noted the importance of obtaining information from small companies in rural or underserved areas, it also recognized the burden imposed on these companies and noted that there is a waiver process for the smallest providers. The Commission declined to add specific questions regarding local telephone service provided exclusively by VOIP. Finally, the Commission confirmed the confidential treatment of information submitted on Form 477 and eliminated the requirement that parties seeking confidential treatment provide a separate, redacted version of the form. |
