On May 22, 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) announced that it will begin accepting applications for Community Connect grants to bring broadband to unserved rural areas.   Any broadband provider may apply for a Community Connect grant.  The application deadline is July 7, 2014. 

Requirements.  This year, Congress authorized the USDA to provide up to $13 million in Community Connect grants.  Key requirements of the program include:

• The proposed project must serve an area where no provider offers broadband service with speeds of at least 3 Mbps (upload and download combined).
• Applicants must request grants of at least $100,000 and no more than $3,000,000.
• Applicants must match 15% of requested funds in cash.
• Successful applicants must:
  • Offer free broadband service to all critical community facilities (e.g., schools, libraries, public healthcare facilities, and fire stations) for at least 2 years.
  • Offer broadband service to all residences and businesses in the project area, with speeds of at least 5Mbps upload and download combined. 
  • Provide, at no cost, at least 2 computer access points and wireless access at a community center in the project area.

Applications.  The USDA encourages all types of entities to apply.  In evaluating applications, the USDA considers how well a proposal addresses the economic, educational, health care, and public safety challenges in the proposed area.  This year, the USDA will emphasize projects that provide service in tribal jurisdictions and in areas where at least 20% of the population lives in poverty.  

Mailed applications must be postmarked by July 7.  Electronic applications must be submitted no later than July 7.

For additional information, see the program’s website and the 2014 Application Guide.

If you have questions about Community Connect grants or the application process, please contact Bruce Beard at (314) 394-1535 or bbeard@cinnamonmueller.com or Jake Baldwin at (312) 372-3930 or jbaldwin@cinnamonmueller.com. 

FCC Announces that New Form 477 Filing Interface Will be Ready on July 31, 2014

Filing Deadline Extended to October 1, 2014

The FCC recently released a Public Notice announcing that changes to Form 477 will take effect with the upcoming filing deadline.  Because the FCC is currently testing the new filing interface, it has extended the upcoming filing deadline (reporting data as of June 30, 2014) from September 1, 2014 to October 1, 2014.

Last year, the FCC adopted an Order modernizing the collection of data on broadband and voice services through Form 477.  The FCC proposed significant changes – in particular, it will now collect large volumes of fixed and mobile broadband deployment data previously collected by NTIA – that necessitated the development of a new Form 477 filing interface.  Given the ongoing development and testing of this new interface, the FCC has issued a one-month extension of the filing deadline to October 1, 2014. 

The Wireline Competition Bureau will make additional resources available to filers, including updated web pages, instructions, systems guide, and frequently asked questions, in advance of the expected July 31, 2014 launch of the new filing interface.  The Bureau also plans to conduct an instructional webinar for filers shortly after that date.  Filers can also review a brief summary of the Form 477 changes on the FCC’s website. 

If you have any questions about Form 477, please contact Scott Friedman at (312) 372-3930 or sfriedman@cinnamonmueller.com.

FCC Proposes FY 2014 Cable Regulatory Fees

The Commission has released its proposed Fiscal Year 2014 Regulatory Fees:

• 2014 cable regulatory fee:  Cable systems (including IPTV systems) that had subscribers as of December 31, 2013 must pay $1.00 per subscriber, a $0.02 decrease from 2013. 

• CARS licenses and permits:  CARS facilities operating on October 1, 2013 must pay $605.00, a $95 increase from 2013, even if the facility’s license expired after October 1, 2013. 

• Interconnected VoIP regulatory fee:  $0.00340 for each dollar of interstate and international telecommunications revenue that a provider reports on its Form 499-A. 

The FCC will collect these fees during a filing window later this summer.  All licensees must use their FRN and password to access the Fee Filer System, and review, create, update, or change the fees owed.  Then, each licensee must make payments electronically – online payment with a credit card, online payment from a bank account, or by sending a wire transfer.  Fee Filer will print a Form 159-E for users to transmit via fax for wire transfers. 

If you have any questions about regulatory fee payments, please contact Scott Friedman at (312) 372-3930 or sfriedman@cinnamonmueller.com.