FCC Defers Next Deployment Term for Legacy High-Cost Carriers

The Federal Communications Commission hereby defers the commencement of the next five-year deployment obligation term for legacy rate-of-return carriers receiving Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support in 2024 until January 1, 2025, while it considers general program reforms in the ongoing Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proceeding. Legacy carriers will remain subject to the Commission’s rules, requiring the offering of broadband service at actual speeds of at least 25 Mbps downstream/3 Mbps upstream to the previously determined number of unserved locations under the current five-year term that ends on December 31, 2023. Deferring the commencement of the next term will maintain the status quo as the Commission considers whether to modify deployment obligations for recipients going forward, allowing the Commission to take into account the effect of awards for broadband deployment pursuant to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program or other federal programs.