The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has announced that it has adopted a methodology to determine rate-of-return carrier study areas where an unsubsidized competitor or a combination of unsubsidized competitors offer voice and broadband services throughout the entire study area. Using the methodology, the Bureau has published a preliminary list of 15 rate-of-return study areas subject to 100 percent competitive overlap. The Bureau is seeking comment on these preliminary findings, and if it ultimately confirms them, the study areas will lose high-cost universal service support. Comments are due August 28, 2015, and reply comments are due September 28, 2015.
