On June 10, 2014, the FCC released the Connect America Fund (CAF) Omnibus Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) which continues the implementation of universal service fund (USF) reforms and CAF programs that were adopted in the 2011 USF/ICC Transformation Order. Among other things, the FNPRM seeks comment on Mobility Fund Phase II; changes to the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation process; the CAF Phase II competitive bidding process; near- and long-term reforms for rate-of-return carriers; and a proposal to increase the minimum broadband speed to 10 Mbps downstream for recipients of high-cost USF support. A summary of the FNPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 9, 2014. As a result, comments on the FNPRM are due on or before August 8, 2014 and reply comments are due on or before September 8, 2014.
