Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on NTCA and USTelecom's Petition for Forbearance from USF Contribution Requirements

On June 14, 2017, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA) and the United States Telecom Association (USTelecom) filed a joint petition pursuant to Section 10 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, requesting that the Commission temporarily forbear from application of universal service fund (USF) contribution requirements with respect to broadband Internet access transmission services provided by RLECs, whether tariffed or offered on a de-tariffed basis. The petition asks that the Commission forbear “until such a time as the Commission reaches a decision on whether any and all broadband services...should be required to contribute to support of federal USF programs or completes some other form of contributions reform.” Interested parties may file comments or oppositions to the NTCA and USTelecom Petition on or before September 13, 2017 and reply comments on or before September 28, 2017.