On May 30, 2019, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on a Texas Carriers’ Petition to prohibit use of E-rate Funds to build fiber networks in areas where fiber networks already exist. These carriers are urging the FCC to “…include safeguards which would discourage overbuilding of existing federally supported fiber networks….and adopt rules that prohibit the use of universal service funds for special construction of fiber networks that overbuild existing fiber networks…” In the original filing by the Texas Carriers the service providers are recommending “….To determine whether fiber already exists…the Commission incorporate a public challenge process that requires an E-rate applicant seeking funding for special construction fiber projects, whether for self-provisioned networks or networks owned by a commercial provider, to confirm that no existing fiber facilities exist…”
The Commend Deadline is July 1, 2019 and the Reply Comment Deadline is July 16, 2019.
