Federal Communications Commission	"FCC/DA  XX-XXX"



DA 19-784
Released:  August 19, 2019

WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU ANNOUNCES DELAY IN INITIATION OF THE CAF PHASE II AUCTION ELIGIBLE LOCATIONS ADJUSTMENT PROCESS

WC Docket No. 10-90

Today, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announces a delay in the initiation of the Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II post-auction process to adjust the deployment obligations and support of authorized auction winners when the total number of actual locations in eligible areas is less than the number of funded locations. Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 14-259, Order on Reconsideration, 33 FCC Rcd 1380, 1390-92, paras. 23-28 (2018) (Phase II Auction Reconsideration Order).
  The Commission required participants to submit, within one year after release of the Phase II auction closing public notice (August 28, 2019), evidence of the total number of locations in the eligible areas in the state, but also directed the Bureau to “release a public notice or order (following its issuance of a notice and opportunity for comment) detailing instructions, deadlines, and requirements for filing valid geolocation data and evidence for both [participants] and commenters.” Id. at 1390-92, paras. 23-28. 
  In a future order, we will adopt specific procedures and requirements for this eligible location adjustment process and announce a new filing deadline that provides participants adequate time to compile and file evidence.  
On September 10, 2018, the Bureau released a public notice seeking comment on several proposals. Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on Procedures to Identify and Resolve Location Discrepancies in Eligible Census Blocks Within Winning Bid Areas, WC Docket No. 10-90, Public Notice, 33 FCC Rcd 8620 (2018) (Locations Adjustment Public Notice).
  On June 5, 2019, the Bureau sought comment on approaches to identify and resolve such apparent discrepancies for rate-of-return carriers receiving Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) support, specifically seeking comment on whether the processes proposed in the Bureau’s Locations Adjustment Public Notice should be utilized. Wireline Competition Bureau Issues Corrected Alternative Connect America Model II Offers to 37 Companies, Extends the Election Deadline, and Seeks Comments on Location Adjustment Procedures, WC Docket No. 10-90, Public Notice, DA 19-504 (rel. June 5, 2019) (Corrected ACAM-II Offer Public Notice).
  In consideration of the issues raised in comments and ex parte communications in response to these notices, and the requirement to obtain Paperwork Reduction Act approval, the Bureau delays the filing deadline until further notice.
For further information, please contact Nissa Laughner, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-0626 or at TTY (202) 418-0484.       
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