Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC SETTLEMENT PROTECTS USF SUPPORT FOR RURAL HEALTH CARE IN ALASKA
DRS Global Enterprise Solutions Commits to Repaying Universal Service Fund & Abandoning Claims Against Alaskan Native-Focused Health System As Part Of $1,000,000 Settlement
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WASHINGTON, April 22, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau today announced a settlement with DRS Global Enterprise Solutions, Inc. terminating the Bureau’s investigation into DRS Global’s potential violations of the FCC’s Rural Health Care Program rules.  The company acknowledges that it failed to determine the rural rates charged to non-profit health care and social services providers serving rural and remote Alaskan Native communities in conformance with the Commission’s rules for the Rural Health Care Program.  

Under this settlement, DRS Global agrees to relinquish any claims to $772,307 in Universal Service Fund support payments and to pay back $227,693 to the Universal Service Fund.  In addition, DRS Global agrees not to attempt to collect any charges associated with these settlement amounts from the Alaskan health care provider that received the services.

The Rural Health Care Telecom Program helps ensure that eligible health care providers in rural areas, where telecommunications costs can be high, have affordable access to telecom services that are vital for providing health care.  

Today’s settlement, formally known as a Consent Decree, is available at: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-67A1.pdf 

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / TTY: (888) 835-5322 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).