The FCC has granted an appeal filed by LNGS on behalf of PR Wireless, Inc., saving the company more than $500,000. In a 2009 audit of the company’s high-cost Universal Service Fund line counts, a USAC auditor found that certain lines could not be assigned to the correct geographic area. The auditor concluded that the company was liable for more than $500,000 in high-cost support corresponding to those lines.

On appeal, the FCC agreed with PR Wireless’s argument that no overpayment occurred because the lines had all been reported in the geographic area with the lower level of support per line associated with it. In addition, the FCC concluded that there was no justification for disqualifying the lines merely because they lacked billing addresses. Accordingly, the FCC found that the company need not repay any support.

LNGS Contacts:  David LaFuria and Steven Chernoff