NRECA filed comments on March 26 opposing a February 28, 2024 request letter to the FCC from 69 entities impacted by RDOF or CAF to provide a limited amnesty period. The letter asked the FCC to let providers who cannot or do not intend to fulfill their obligations to deliver broadband out of their commitment with no penalties.
NRECA's comments expressed strong opposition to penalty-free RDOF and CAF II amnesty for several reasons. First and foremost, the broken commitments made to rural communities most in need of the service they were promised and relied on, not to mention the resultant economic impact of losing that long-awaited service. Second, the dangerous and disruptive precedent bailing out defaulting entities would set for future auctions and grant programs.
