3. Discussion

SB 1040 provides opportunities and challenges for the CASF. Now is the logical time to re-think the program in light of current circumstances. On the one hand, the Commission will administer new accounts and additional money under the CASF, on the other hand, federal money (at least through the ARRA) is exhausted, having been fully allocated. Moreover, the Commission and interested parties here had over two years' experience with the CASF program. It is important that we learn from that experience going forward.

Accordingly, in section 4 below, we pose a series of questions, together with an accompanying narrative intended to give a more detailed context than the broad overview provided in the background section above. To further assist the parties, the Appendix to this order reports on CASF Funding Status, with an analysis of applications and awards as of October 14, 2010.