In August 2017, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) conducted its review of study areas potentially subject to the FCC’s “100 percent overlap rule” for high-cost support. The Bureau sought comment on whether unsubsidized competitors in 13 specific study areas were in fact offering voice and broadband to 100 percent of locations in the relevant census blocks. According to the Bureau, the comment record submissions “did not provide evidence to confirm that any of the 13 study areas preliminarily identified were in fact 100 percent served by unsubsidized broadband competitors.” Accordingly, the Bureau found that none of its listed study areas meets the 100 percent overlap requirements and concluded its review process. The Bureau also indicated that it would conduct another 100 percent overlap review in 2019.
