The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has denied several petitions for waiver of the deadline for submitting audited financial statements in connection with the annual FCC Form 481 reporting requirement. The Bureau found that the eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) requesting waiver did not provide adequate explanation or special circumstances for the cause of their delays. Normally, ETCs that miss certification and data submission deadlines have their high-cost support reduced on a pro-rata daily basis until they file the required paperwork. However, on its own motion, the Bureau has granted a limited waiver of this rule and declined to recover support for the late completion of these carriers’ Forms 481. The Bureau does not intend to grant similar petitions for waiver in the future and reminds carriers to submit their complete filings on time.
