On January 2, 2026, the FCC issued its monthly Public Notice deciding a number of requests for review, requests for waiver, and petitions for reconsideration related to actions taken by USAC.
The FCC resolves requests that are consistent with its precedent by issuing a “streamlined” list of decisions and classifying the matters based on the issue involved and the FCC rule in question.
E-rate Program:
Appeals involving the following issues were granted:
- Competitive Bidding – Waiver of the Price as Primary Factor Rule
- Discount Calculation Inconsistency
- Granting Additional Time to Respond to USAC with Information During Invoicing
- Late-Filed Appeal or Waiver – Submitted Only a Few Days Late
- Ministerial and Clerical Error – Wrong Category of Service on FCC Form 471
- Ministerial and Clerical Error – Invoicing
- Permissible Implementation Delay
- Permitting Timely Submission of FCC Form 500
- USAC Decision Issued After Invoice Filing Deadline
- Waiver of Special Construction Service Delivery Deadline
Appeals involving the following issues were denied:
- Competitive Bidding – No FCC Form 470 Filed
- Competitive Bidding – Violation of the 28-Day Rule
- Late-Filed FCC Form 471 Applications
- Late-Filed FCC Form 486
- Late-Filed Invoice or Invoice Deadline Extension
- Untimely Filed Appeals or Waiver Requests
Cybersecurity Pilot Program
Appeals involving the following issues were denied:
- Untimely Filed Appeals or Waiver Requests
- Late-Filed FCC Form 471 Applications
Emergency Connectivity Fund Program:
Appeals involving the following issues were granted:
- Early Delivery
- Granting on Reconsideration – Waiver of the ECF Invoice Filing Deadline
Appeals involving the following issues were denied:
- Ineligible Entity
- Untimely-Filed Appeals or Waiver Requests
The December appeal decisions can be viewed here.
The original filings can be located using the FCC’s online electronic filing system, available here: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/
The deadline for filing petitions for reconsideration or applications for review concerning the November decisions is 30 days from the release of the Public Notice.
