Federal Communications Commission FCC 17-36
STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL P. O’RIELLY
Re: Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; Developing a Unified 
Intercarrier Compensation Regime, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 14-98, CC Docket No. 01-92
I support this decision to make clear that rate-of-return carriers may undertake additional 
investments to deploy broadband in a cost-effective manner without fear that they will be precluded from 
recovering all of their capital expenses through USF.  I, for one, never intended the rule to operate as a 
“kill switch” and would have preferred to clear up the apparent confusion as soon as we became aware of 
the issue almost a year ago.  In the same vein, I hope that the Commission will promptly respond to other 
pending requests for clarification or guidance in this area.  Certainly, we should address what some have 
referred to as a “punch list” in very quick order.  
Going forward, I expect that we will see fewer requests to clarify or reconsider Commission 
meeting items as the public now has the opportunity to review the actual text under consideration.  They 
can help spot potential issues before the Commission votes on the items.  This will save time and 
resources both for Commission staff and outside parties.  I think it is fair to say that the pilot project has 
been a success and we can now make it standard operating procedure, including extending it to circulation 
items as well.