February 11, 2009

ACA Requests Short Extension Following OMB and FCC Delays

PITTSBURGH, February 11, 2009 – In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today (available here) the American Cable Association (ACA) requested a 120-day extension for broadband and VoIP providers to complete and file the new Form 477.  The form, which will require a great deal of administrative effort to collect all the additional information being sought, is due by March 2, 2009, but repeated delays in approval of the form by the OMB and its posting on the FCC’s website, will mean ACA members have less time to perform an already burdensome task.

“Filing the new Form 477 is going to be fairly labor intensive and time consuming,” ACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said.  “Our members are more than willing to comply, but we only ask for a reasonable amount of time given the OMB and FCC’s repeated delays in making the final version of the form available to our members — the form is still not available on the FCC website.  This entire situation can be easily corrected with a short extension, and hope the FCC grants our request.”

The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, the Rural Telecommunications Group and the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies have also filed a similar 120-day extension request.

On June 12, the FCC Released a Report and Order (FCC 08-89) and an Order on Reconsideration (FCC 08-148) that together revised the Form 477 filing requirements.  The FCC submitted the new Form 477 for review to the OMB on December 24, 2008.  The OMB approved the form with changes on January 30, 2009.  To date, the link to the electronic FCC Form has not been posted on the FCC website.

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About the American Cable Association

Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing more than 900 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America.  Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit www.americancable.org.

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090210 477 form FINAL.PDF 15.73 KB