Telecom Alert: COVID-19 Telehealth Program Application Portal; $200K Fine for Untimely Filings; C-Band Transition Dispute Docket; Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Webinar [Vol. XVIII, Issue 16]
COVID-19 Telehealth Program Application Portal
The FCC issued a Public Notice last week announcing that the application filing window for Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program (Vol. XVIII, Issue 14) will open on Thursday, April 29 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Round 2 of the Program is a $249.95 million federal initiative that builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act. The filing window will last seven calendar days and close on Thursday, May 6 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Applications will be accepted once the filing window opens, and all applications will be reviewed after the filing window has closed. For more information, please contact Greg Kunkle (kunkle@khlaw.com; 202.434.4178).
Provider Fined $200K for Untimely Filings
The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau entered into a Consent Decree with Lunex Telecom, Inc. (“Lunex”) last week, terminating its investigation into Lunex’s failure to timely file Worksheets and CPNI certifications in connection with the Universal Service Fund (“USF”). Under the FCC’s rules, service providers required to contribute to the USF must file annual worksheets, and under certain exceptions quarterly worksheets, reporting their revenue information. Service providers must also file an annual CPNI certification by March 1 of each year. According to the Consent Decree, Lunex failed to timely file a total of 41 annual worksheets between April 2011 and November 2020, as well as CPNI certifications that were due each year from 2012 to 2020. CPNI admits that it violated the Commission’s rules, must implement a compliance plan, and will pay a $216,000 civil penalty for its violations. For more information, please contact Jim Baller (baller@khlaw.com; 202.434.4175) or Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 202.434.4193).
FCC Establishes Docket for C-Band Transition Dispute Referrals
The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau issued a Public Notice last week creating a docket and directing the C-Band satellite relocation coordinator, RSM US LLP (“RSM”), to notify the Bureau of disputes involving the comparability of facilities, workmanship, and preservation of service by filing them in this new docket. RSM is required to file these matters with the FCC in WT Docket No. 21-154, including its recommended resolutions and any related information, as soon as practicable, but no later than 10 business days after it receives formal notice of the dispute. Following any submission from RSM, the Bureau may announce additional procedures for resolving the dispute. For more information, please contact Greg Kunkle (kunkle@khlaw.com; 202.434..4178).
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Webinar
Last week, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing that it will host a public webinar to provide information on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (“EBBP”) (Vol. XVIII, Issue 9). The webinar will provider consumers and outreach partners with an overview of the EBBP, eligibility information, and enrollment procedures. During the event, the FCC will provide an overview of the outreach tool kit materials developed for partners and consumers to use to create awareness about the temporary program. Registration is not required and questions can be emailed to the Commission before and during the event. For more information, please contact Doug Jarrett (jarrett@khlaw.com; 202.434.4180).