Bidding for Apples and Oranges

Why CAF Bid Areas Need a Non-Weighted, Geography-Based Approach

Categorized Under: Community Development

Broadband technology and consumer device adoption is rapidly driving demand for upgraded broadband access, speed, and reliability. Changes being proposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the recent Notice for Proposed Rulemaking to the Universal Service Fund (USF) High Cost program, which supports traditional telecommunications services, will impact states and commercial providers. In order to prepare for this imminent change, state regulators and commercial providers must have a technical understanding of the impact of suggested changes.

In this article, Michael Spead, a former Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Senior Manager of the High Cost Fund, and currently ICF’s Senior Technical Specialist on USF issues, discusses various options for geographic boundaries for the Connect America Fund (CAF) and the complexity of the CAF bidding process.

Related Market + Service Offerings

Broadband + Telecommunications

Authored By

Michael Spead
Senior Technical SpecialistICF International

Michael Spead, former senior program manager at the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), has more than 10 years of experience in broadband/telecommunications program and project management, policy analysis and regulatory compliance, business process engineering, and financial analysis. Mr. Spead leverages his understanding of the broadband/telecommunications ecosystem to develop successful programs and projects to support state, local, and commercial entities, and he monitors changes in broadband/telecommunications policy to provide technical advisory services for clients. At USAC, Mr. Spead also served as an ambassador for a nationwide outreach initiative with telecommunications firms to build relationships, train industry leaders, and address issues relating to the Universal Service Fund (USF).