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Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
Rio Verde Wireless, LLC
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File No.: EB-IHD-14-00014134
NAL/Acct. No.: 201532080009
FRN: 0023419955
notice of apparent liability for forfeiture
Adopted: March 11, 2015 Released: March 11, 2015
By the Acting Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division:
introduction
The Commission relies heavily on data reported by broadband service providers, especially those serving rural areas, to assess the state of broadband availability throughout the country and to craft policies that help make affordable Internet access available to all Americans. To ensure that it has such data, the Commission requires broadband services providers, including Wireless Internet Services Providers (WISPs) such as Rio Verde Wireless, LLC (Rio Verde or Company), to file data on their broadband services. We propose penalties totaling $20,000 against Rio Verde for apparently failing to timely file its broadband data and for apparently failing to answer Enforcement Bureau (Bureau) questions regarding that failure. Failing to timely file broadband data and failing to appropriately respond to Bureau inquiries are serious offenses that impede the Commission's efforts to meet its statutory mandates regarding broadband deployment and to conduct inquiries into possible rule violations.
background
To accomplish its broadband goals, the Commission requires broadband service providers to file FCC Form 477 twice each year. Form 477 contains service speed and subscriber information that the Commission uses to assess the state of broadband availability in the United States, and to take steps to further the goal of increasing that availability. The data collected also enable the Commission to appropriately target universal service funds to unserved and underserved regions and to meet public safety obligations. Federal and state agencies and the general public also benefit from the data reported on Form 477.
Rio Verde is a WISP that uses unlicensed spectrum to provide broadband Internet service to fixed locations in Arizona. In 2013, the Bureau learned that Rio Verde had not filed seven Form 477s since 2010. On December 19, 2013, the Bureau sent the Company a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) directing it to provide certain information and documents regarding its compliance with the Commission's Form 477 filing rules. Glenn Alan Burgess, Rio Verde's Managing Member, acknowledged that he had received the LOI, but the Company never answered or provided any documents in response to the LOI. On April 10, 2014, Rio Verde filed the Form 477 that had been due on March 3, 2014, more than five weeks late.
discussion
We find that Rio Verde apparently willfully or repeatedly violated the Form 477 filing requirements in Sections 1.7001 and 1.7002 of the Commission's rules (Rules), as well as a Commission order. The Commission created Form 477 in 2000 to collect uniform data about local telephone competition, mobile telephony, and broadband services. The form has been updated several times in the ensuing years as the Commission's work increasingly has turned to broadband. As information about broadband availability, particularly in rural areas, has become increasingly important, filing requirements have expanded to include smaller entities such as Rio Verde.
WISPs generally use unlicensed spectrum to provide broadband services to residential and business consumers, though some WISPs such as Rio Verde also hold Commission licenses. WISPs often serve rural areas where other broadband services are not available. The data WISPs report on Form 477 therefore are especially relevant for Commission efforts to understand broadband availability and subscribership in those regions. Accordingly, failing to file timely broadband data with the Commission and refusing to cooperate with Bureau investigations regarding such filing deficiencies are serious matters.
Rio Verde Apparently Violated the Form 477 Filing Rules
We conclude that Rio Verde apparently violated Section 1.7001 and 1.7002 of the Rules by willfully or repeatedly failing to timely file its Form 477 due in March 2014. These Rules require facilities-based providers of broadband Internet service, including WISPs, to file Form 477 twice each year by the first business day in March and September. Form 477 contains important information that assists the Commission in carrying out its statutory mandates, including the requirement that the Commission "shall encourage the deployment on a reasonable and timely basis of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans."
Rio Verde filed Form 477s in September 2009 and March 2010, and did not file again until after it became aware of the Bureau's investigation. The Company missed a total of seven filing deadlines between 2010 and 2013, and filed the Form 477 due in March 2014 late. This lack of compliance persisted despite repeated Commission efforts to have Rio Verde meet its Form 477 filing obligations. In 2011, for example, the Bureau issued an Enforcement Advisory warning broadband providers, including Rio Verde, that they could be liable for monetary forfeitures if they did not comply with the reporting rules. In April 2013, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) informed the Company that the Commission had not received Form 477s due in 2012 and March 2013. Mr. Burgess then objected to the filing requirement because he believed that competitors would receive his proprietary information, but stated that he would "submit under duress." In response, WCB explained the Commission's confidentiality protections. After this e-mail exchange, Mr. Burgess sent some data to the Commission and stated he was having difficulty filing electronically. WCB staff attempted to assist Mr. Burgess, but Rio Verde never submitted its Form 477 or the remainder of its required data. WCB referred Rio Verde to the Bureau for further action.
On December 19, 2013, the Bureau sent Rio Verde an LOI requesting information regarding the company's Form 477 filing history. As discussed below, Rio Verde never answered the Bureau's questions. After receiving further assistance from WCB staff, Rio Verde filed the Form 477 due March 3, 2014 on April 10, 2014, more than five weeks late. Accordingly, we find that Rio Verde apparently violated Sections 1.7001 and 1.7002 of the Rules by failing to timely file its Form 477 due in March 2014.
Rio Verde Apparently Violated a Commission Order
We conclude that Rio Verde apparently violated a Commission order by willfully or repeatedly failing to properly respond to the Bureau's LOI. Sections 4(i), 4(j), and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), the Rules, and relevant precedent grant the Commission broad investigatory authority, including the power to initiate inquiries and assess penalties against entities that disregard those inquiries. Section 0.111(a)(17) of the Rules delegates this authority to the Enforcement Bureau.
An LOI is a Commission order to an entity subject to the Commission's jurisdiction. Accordingly, companies that receive LOIs are required to timely file full and complete responses to the Bureau's questions. Failure to timely and fully respond to the Bureau's inquiries violates the Rules.
In the exercise of its authority, the Bureau sent an LOI to Rio Verde on December 19, 2013 via certified mail, directing the Company to provide certain information and documents in connection with its investigation into the Company's compliance with the Commission's Form 477 rules. The Bureau also sent a courtesy copy of the LOI by e-mail to Mr. Burgess. The United States Postal Service attempted to deliver the LOI on December 21, 2013, but could not do so. Rio Verde never retrieved the LOI from the post office, and it was ultimately returned to the Bureau on January 23, 2014. The Company also did not acknowledge receipt of the copy sent via e-mail.
On several occasions in late January and early February 2014, Bureau staff attempted to reach a representative of Rio Verde by telephone without avail. These efforts finally succeeded on February 7, 2014, and Bureau staff left a message with a Rio Verde employee requesting a return call from Mr. Burgess. Mr. Burgess did not return the Bureau's call. On February 14, 2014, the Bureau again sent the LOI to Rio Verde via fax and e-mail. On February 17, 2014, Mr. Burgess responded, acknowledging receipt of the LOI and objecting to the Form 477 filing requirement.
On February 20, 2014, the Bureau directed Rio Verde to file its response to the LOI by March 6, 2014. This gave the Company more than six additional weeks from the original deadline to answer the Bureau's questions. The Bureau noted the Company's "opposition to the Form 477 filing requirements and, by extension, to the Bureau's investigation of Rio Verde's compliance with those requirements," but informed Rio Verde that its opposition did "not relieve the Company of its obligations to comply with the Form 477 filing requirements and to timely respond to the [LOI]." The Bureau also warned Rio Verde that failure to answer the questions in the LOI would be "a violation of the Commission's Rules and subject the Company to a potential fine." Rio Verde acknowledged receipt of this communication.
The Company never filed a formal response to the Bureau's LOI and did not answer any of the Bureau's questions. Accordingly, we find that Rio Verde apparently violated a Commission order by failing to provide the information and documents required by the LOI.
Proposed Forfeitures
Section 503(b)(1)(B) of the Act authorizes the Commission to impose a forfeiture against any entity that "willfully or repeatedly fail[s] to comply substantially with any of the provisions of [the Act] or of any rule, regulation, or order issued by the Commission. Here, Section 503(b)(2)(D) of the Act authorizes us to assess a forfeiture against Rio Verde of up to $16,000 for each day of a continuing violation, up to a statutory maximum of $122,500 for a single act or failure to act. In exercising our forfeiture authority, we must consider the "nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other such matters as justice may require." In addition, the Commission has established forfeiture guidelines; they establish base penalties for certain violations and identify criteria that we consider when determining the appropriate penalty in any given case. Under these guidelines, we may adjust a forfeiture upward for violations that are egregious, intentional, or repeated, or that cause substantial harm or generate substantial economic gain for the violator.
Section 1.80(b) of the Rules sets a base forfeiture of $3,000 for failure to file required forms or information for each violation or each day of a continuing violation. For failure to respond to Commission communications, Section 1.80(b) of the Rules sets a base forfeiture amount of $4,000 for each violation or each day of a continuing violation. We have discretion, however, to depart from these guidelines, taking into account the particular facts of each individual case.
Here, Rio Verde did not timely file its Form 477 due on March 3, 2014, resulting in a base forfeiture of $3,000. It also did not respond to the Bureau's LOI, resulting in a base forfeiture of $4,000. Accordingly, we propose base forfeitures totaling $7,000. Given the totality of the circumstances, and consistent with the Forfeiture Policy Statement, we conclude that significant upward adjustments are warranted. In view of the seriousness and the repeated nature of Rio Verde's violations, we propose forfeitures of $10,000 for failing to timely file Form 477 and $10,000 for failing to respond to a Commission order.
Specifically, we find that Rio Verde's failure to timely file March 2014 Form 477 merits an upward adjustment because the Company had failed to timely file Form 477 on eight separate occasions starting in 2010. As discussed above, some of these missed filings, including the one due on March 3, 2014, persisted even after Rio Verde was warned of its filing obligations and after WCB staff offered ample assistance. Accordingly, we propose an upward adjustment of $7,000, which takes into account the circumstances surrounding the violation and Rio Verde's history of failing to timely file Form 477.
We also find Rio Verde's apparent intentional and continual refusal to respond to the Bureau's inquiries to be particularly egregious, both because "[m]isconduct of this type exhibits contempt for the Commission's authority and threatens to compromise the Commission's ability to adequately investigate violations of its rules," and because the Bureau gave the Company additional time to file its response. Rio Verde acknowledged that it received both the Bureau's LOI and the e-mail granting it more time to respond. Further, the Bureau warned the Company that failure to respond fully to the LOI could result in a fine. Still, Rio Verde chose not to answer the Bureau's questions. Accordingly, we propose an upward adjustment of $6,000, for egregious and intentional misconduct.
Therefore, after applying the Forfeiture Policy Statement, Section 1.80 of the Rules, and the statutory factors, we propose total forfeitures of $20,000, for which Rio Verde is apparently liable.
Conclusion
We conclude that Rio Verde apparently willfully or repeatedly violated Sections 1.7001 and 1.7002 of the Rules, as well as a Commission Order. As such, Rio Verde is apparently liable for $20,000 in forfeitures.
ORDERING CLAUSES
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 503(b) of the Act and Sections 1.80 of the Rules, Rio Verde Wireless, LLC is hereby NOTIFIED of this APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE in the amount of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for willful and repeated violations of Sections 1.7001 and 1.7002 of the Rules; and of a Commission order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 1.80 of the Rules, within thirty (30) calendar days of the release date of this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, Rio Verde Wireless, LLC SHALL PAY the full amount of the proposed forfeiture or SHALL FILE a written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture consistent with paragraph 26 below.
Payment of the forfeiture must be made by check or similar instrument, wire transfer, or credit card, and must include the NAL/Account Number and FRN referenced above. Rio Verde Wireless, LLC shall send electronic notification of payment to Jeffrey Gee at Jeffrey.Gee@fcc.gov and Valerie Hill at Valerie.Hill@fcc.gov on the date said payment is made. Regardless of the form of payment, a completed FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice) must be submitted. When completing the FCC Form 159, enter the Account Number in block number 23A (call sign/other ID) and enter the letters "FORF" in block number 24A (payment type code). Below are additional instructions that should be followed based on the form of payment selected:
* Payment by check or money order must be made payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission. Such payments (along with the completed Form 159) must be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank - Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.
* Payment by wire transfer must be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank TREAS/NYC, and Account Number 27000001. To complete the wire transfer and ensure appropriate crediting of the wired funds, a completed Form 159 must be faxed to U.S. Bank at (314) 418-4232 on the same business day the wire transfer is initiated.
* Payment by credit card must be made by providing the required credit card information on FCC Form 159 and signing and dating the Form 159 to authorize the credit card payment. The completed Form 159 must then be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank - Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.
Any request for making full payment over time under an installment plan should be sent to: Chief Financial Officer -- Financial Operations, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 1-A625, Washington, DC 20554. Questions regarding payment procedures should be directed to the Financial Operations Group Help Desk by phone, 1-877-480-3201, or by e-mail, ARINQUIRIES@fcc.gov.
The written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture, if any, must include a detailed factual statement supported by appropriate documentation and affidavits pursuant to Sections 1.16 and 1.80(f)(3) of the Rules. The written statement must be mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554, ATTN: Enforcement Bureau - Investigations and Hearings Division, and must include the NAL/Account Number referenced in the caption. The statement must also be e-mailed to Jeffrey Gee at Jeffrey.Gee@fcc.gov and Valerie Hill at Valerie.Hill@fcc.gov.
The Commission will not consider reducing or canceling a forfeiture in response to a claim of inability to pay unless the petitioner submits: (1) federal tax returns for the most recent three-year period; (2) financial statements prepared according to generally accepted accounting practices; or (3) some other reliable and objective documentation that accurately reflects the petitioner's current financial status. Any claim of inability to pay must specifically identify the basis for the claim by reference to the financial documentation.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture shall be sent by first class mail and certified mail, return receipt requested, to Glenn Alan Burgess, Managing Member, Rio Verde Wireless, LLC, 30514 North 162nd Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Jeffrey J. Gee
Acting Chief
Investigations and Hearings Division
Enforcement Bureau