A few months ago the FCC released order DA 18-710 specifying the network performance testing and reporting required for ISPs who receive support from the Connect America Fund (CAF). The order is nearly 40 pages, but in this post we will summarize the requirements and provide some options for how ISPs can comply.

Who Must Comply?

Recipients of CAF high-cost universal service support, including:

• CAF Phase II Auction Winners
• Price Cap Carriers
• Rate-of-Return Carriers
• Rural Broadband Experiment (RBE) Recipients
• Alaska Plan Carriers

There are also industry 'rumblings' that eventually all ISPs will need to submit performance measurement reports to the FCC.

When Is The First Report Due?

The first performance data report and certification will be due July 1, 2020 and live testing must begin by July 1, 2019. That might sound far off, but it will be here before you know it. Subsequent reports are due July 1 each year for all 4 quarters of the prior year.