The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has entered into a Consent Decree resolving its investigation into whether GCI Communication Corp. (GCI) violated certain of the FCC’s Rural Health Care Program rules. The investigation involved the RHC Program rules concerning competitive bidding, the determination of urban rates, and the determination of rural rates. As part of the Consent Decree, GCI has agreed to a total settlement value of about $42.6 million, including: (1) a $26.6 million repayment to the Universal Service Fund; and (2) a credit of $16 million for GCI’s withdrawal of its Applications for Review currently pending with the FCC. GCI has also agreed to implement enhanced compliance measures in connection with its RHC Program participation.
