FCC delays 477 filingThe Federal Communications Commission has delayed the deadline for filing the Form 477 (Local Telephone Competition and Broadband Reporting) until October 1, 2014. Normally, the filing would have been due by September 1, 2014. The filing window will open July 31, 2014. The delay is intended to give the FCC time to test the new interface and provide filers with additional time to compile and format their data in accordance with the new requirements.

In June 2013, the FCC revised the data that will be collected through its Form 477. Among other things, providers will now have to report voice subscriber data by census tract instead of zip codes and broadband deployment information by census block, as well as subscriber data by census tract. In addition, filing deployment data has become mandatory for all facilities-based broadband providers on a nationwide basis. (TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see TMI FCC Bulletin dated 7/2/13).

The FCC said it would begin collecting data under the revised rules as of June 30, 2014, pending approval of the changes to Form 477 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. OMB approved the Form 477 modifications on June 4, 2014.

New Filing Interface
The FCC said that the significant changes to Form 477 necessitated the development of a new Form 477 filing interface. The FCC said it is currently testing the site to ensure that it meets the new requirements. To allow ample time to complete this testing process and resolve any technical issues, the FCC decided to adjust the filing window, which typically runs from July 1 to September 1 for data as of June 30 each year. Accordingly, the filing window for Form 477 data as of June 30, 2014 will open July 31, 2014, with submissions due by October 1, 2014.

The FCC said the later filing deadline will also provide filers with additional time to compile and format their data in accordance with the new requirements.

The FCC has already released Form 477 Data Specifications and provided some guidance on how data will be submitted using the new interface.1 The FCC said it will make additional resources available to filers – including updated web pages, instructions, systems guide, and frequently asked questions – in advance of the July 31, 2014 launch of the new filing interface. The FCC also plans to conduct an instructional webinar for filers shortly after that date.

 

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Join Technologies Management Inc. (TMI) on June 26 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT for a webinar on “October 2014 477 Filing Requirements.” Hal Stringer Manager, IT Solutions for TMI. Webinar registration is free. Deadline for registration is June 25. For more information, please e-mail education@comptel.org or call 202-296-6650.

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We facilitate all required steps for you and report your Form 477 data – from data analysis to outputs ready for filing on the FCC 477 Electronic Filing System. 

 

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