Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
WASHINGTON – After more than two years of dispute and intervention from U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Red River Communications, a telecommunications company from Abercrombie, finally received a revised Alternative Connect America Cost Model II (ACAM II) offer from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide broadband services in the Red River Valley. The FCC increased its previous funding offer from $46,116,220 over ten years to $59,290,550 over the same period, an increased offer of $13,174,330.
“I’m pleased to see this ongoing funding issue finally get resolved so rural communities in and around North Dakota have access to reliable broadband and telephone services. After a two-year saga, Red River Communications received a revised offer containing an increase of just over $13 million in support from the Federal Communications Commission,” said Senator Cramer.
Due to a data filing error by an adjacent carrier Red River Communications’ support amount was reduced significantly under ACAM II. The adjacent carrier voluntarily corrected this error after becoming aware of the situation and Red River Communications filed an emergency petition with the FCC to receive adequate and accurate ACAM II support. After more than two years, the FCC issued a corrected offer to Red River Communications.
“It is the FCC’s statutory duty to ensure that all Americans have access to robust and affordable advanced communications services in rural and urban areas alike. Therefore, we respectfully request the FCC review Red River’s petition and use appropriate discretionary authority to resolve the issue in as expedient a manner as possible,” wrote the delegation.
In response to the letter, the FCC indicated they would further review the issue. In addition to the formal letter, Senator Cramer discussed the issue with former FCC Chair Ajit Pai and members of his staff held multiple calls with the FCC to fix this issue.