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Open Recommendations (33 total)

Telecommunications: FCC Should Take Additional Action to Manage Fraud Risks in Its Program to Support Broadband Service in High-Cost Areas

GAO-20-27
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission The Chairman of FCC should design and implement an antifraud strategy for the high-cost program with specific control activities, based upon the results of fraud-risk assessments and a corresponding fraud risk profile, as provided in GAO's fraud risk framework. (Recommendation 3)
Open
As of February 2024, FCC provided documentation related to its antifraud strategy that we are reviewing. When we confirm that FCC's actions address our recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Telecommunications: FCC Should Take Additional Action to Manage Fraud Risks in Its Program to Support Broadband Service in High-Cost Areas

GAO-20-27
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission The Chairman of FCC should assess the model-based support mechanism to determine the extent to which it produces reliable cost estimates. (Recommendation 4)
Open
As of February 2024, FCC officials said FCC intends to implement this recommendation and is considering ways to improve the model-based support mechanism for rate-of-return carriers participating in the high-cost program. FCC does not expect this recommendation to be implemented until fiscal year 2028. We will continue to review FCC's efforts related to this recommendation, including FCC efforts, if any, to verify the model's cost estimates.
Federal Communications Commission The Chairman of FCC should consider whether to make use of the model-based support mechanism mandatory depending on the results of the assessment. (Recommendation 5)
Open
As of February 2024, FCC reported that it was considering ways to improve the model-based support mechanism for rate-of-return carriers participating in the high-cost program. FCC indicated that any such improvements may help facilitate the transition of carriers from legacy support mechanisms to the model-based support mechanism. Although FCC expects to implement this recommendation, officials said it would likely not be fully implemented until fiscal year 2028. We will continue to monitor FCC's progress and efforts in regard to this recommendation.

Broadband Internet: FCC's Data Overstate Access on Tribal Lands

GAO-18-630
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission should obtain feedback from tribal stakeholders and providers on the effectiveness of FCC's 2012 statement to providers on how to fulfill their tribal engagement requirements to determine whether FCC needs to clarify the agency's tribal engagement statement. (Recommendation 3)
Open
As of August 2023, FCC has not yet determined whether it needs to clarify the agency's tribal engagement statement. Previously, FCC issued a Public Notice seeking comment on the effectiveness of its tribal engagement guidance but has not released any determinations based on the information it collected. In response, FCC's Native Nations Communications Task Force issued a report recommending that FCC provide additional guidance on tribal engagement. We will monitor FCC's future actions to identify whether FCC issues a decision on whether it needs to clarify its tribal engagement statement in response to the feedback it has received.

Telecommunications: Additional Action Needed to Address Significant Risks in FCC's Lifeline Program

GAO-17-538
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission To address our findings regarding the USF, the Chairman of FCC should take action to respond to USAC requests for guidance and address pending requests concerning USF contribution requirements to ensure the contribution factor is based on complete information and that USF pass-through charges are equitable.
Open
FCC stated they are scheduled to implement this recommendation in fiscal year 2025.

Wireless Internet: FCC Should Assess Making Off-School-Premises Access Eligible for Additional Federal Support

GAO-19-564
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission should determine and execute a methodology for collecting and analyzing data—such as conducting a new pilot program regarding off-premises wireless access or analyzing other data—to assess the potential benefits, costs, and challenges of making off-premises wireless access eligible for E-rate program support, and publish the results of this analysis. (Recommendation 1)
Open
FCC informed GAO in February 2024 that it is currently taking steps to implement this recommendation and plans to have it implemented by September 2024.

Tribal Broadband: FCC Should Undertake Efforts to Better Promote Tribal Access to Spectrum

GAO-19-75
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission The Chairman of FCC should collect data on the extent that tribal entities are obtaining and accessing spectrum and use this information as FCC implements ongoing spectrum initiatives. (Recommendation 1)
Open
As of August 2023, FCC said it is considering ways to collect data on the extent that tribal entities are obtaining and accessing spectrum, including updating application forms to provide for voluntary submission of this information. FCC issued a public notice on August 4, 2023 that sought comments on how to best update licensing forms and demographic information for tribal entities. Given that FCC is seeking comment on the issue, FCC could not provide an expected date to fully implement the recommendation. When we confirm that FCC has taken additional actions, we will provide updated information.

Tribal Broadband: FCC Should Undertake Efforts to Better Promote Tribal Access to Spectrum

GAO-19-75
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission The Chairman of FCC should make information on spectrum-license holders more accessible and easy to understand for interested parties, including tribal entities, to promote their ability to purchase or lease spectrum licenses from other providers. (Recommendation 3)
Open
As of August 2023, FCC said it was engaged in a multi-year project to modernize the Universal Licensing System (ULS), which is the online system that contains electronic records of all wireless spectrum licenses. FCC said it would transition ULS to a new platform that will provide more consistent performance, easier access to information, and enhanced functionality. However, FCC noted that this recommendation is still several years away from being implemented. We will continue to monitor FCC's actions in this area.

Telecommunications: Additional Action Needed to Address Significant Risks in FCC's Lifeline Program

GAO-17-538
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission To address control weaknesses and related program-integrity risks we identified in Lifeline, the Chairman of FCC should require Commissioners to review and approve, as appropriate, spending above the budget in a timely manner.
Open
In its 2023 Budget Estimate to Congress, dated March 2022, FCC stated it has not adopted a self-enforcing budget mechanism, though the current disbursement level is significantly lower than the current budgeted amount for the Lifeline program. In January 2024 FCC stated it has no plans to address this recommendation. GAO continues to believe that the Commissioners should review and approve, as appropriate, spending above the budget in a timely manner to address control weaknesses and related program-integrity risks we identified. We will continue to monitor FCC's efforts in this area.
Federal Communications Commission To address control weaknesses and related program-integrity risks we identified in Lifeline, the Chairman of FCC should establish time frames to evaluate compliance plans and develop instructions with criteria for FCC reviewers how to evaluate these plans to meet Lifeline's program goals.
Open
In its 2023 Budget Estimate to Congress, dated March 2022, FCC stated it has resumed approving compliance plans in limited circumstances, but at this time has not established time frames to evaluate compliance plans and develop instructions with criteria for FCC reviewers on how to evaluate these plans to meet Lifeline's program goals. In Jan 2024, FCC stated is does not plan to address this recommendation. GAO continues to believe that establishing time frames to evaluate compliance plans and developing instructions with criteria for FCC reviewers on how to evaluate these plans to meet Lifeline's program goals would help to address control weaknesses in the Lifeline program and related program-integrity risks. We will continue to monitor FCC's efforts in this area.
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