On its own motion, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has granted a limited waiver of certain network performance pre-testing requirements for model-based Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF-II) support. Specifically, during the pre-test period, recipients will be permitted to test less than the required number of subscriber locations if such testing would require installation of new equipment inside subscribers’ premises. This would allow carriers to complete pre-testing on schedule while also minimizing unnecessary technician/subscriber contact and diversion of resources that the Bureau has determined at this time would be more appropriately spent on critical network maintenance.
