The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has released a Public Notice seeking comment on whether it should extend its waiver of the letter of credit rules for Connect America Fund Phase II auction (Auction 903) recipients beyond December 31, 2022. It also seeks comment on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected telecommunications service provider operations and the condition of financial markets and supply chains.
The Bureau proposes to extend the waiver of the Auction 903 letter of credit requirements only for Auction 903 recipients that meet the first mandatory build out deadline of deployment to at least 40 percent of locations as of December 31, 2022. The Bureau proposes that those who do not meet the 40 percent buildout milestone would have to meet the original Auction 903 letter of credit requirements by April 1, 2023.
Comments are due by September 21, 2022 and reply comments are due by October 6, 2022.
