Supporters of the Universal Service Fund overhaul agreement brokered by...
Supporters of the Universal Service Fund overhaul agreement brokered by USTelecom asked the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Commerce committees and their communications subcommittees for support. A Thursday letter was from USTelecom, AT&T, Verizon, CenturyLink, FairPoint,…
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Frontier, Windstream, OPASTCO, the NTCA and the Western Telecommunications Alliance. “This universal service fund (USF) and intercarrier compensation reform framework represents the country’s best chance to stabilize, modernize, and expand rural networks for years to come,” the coalition said. “With our carefully balanced compromise, we believe the industry can work through a major transition process without damaging vital communication infrastructure or disrupting customer services.” The FCC has said it hopes to complete reform this fall, the coalition noted. “After years of frustration and dead-ends, we are on the precipice of reform and now have a rare opportunity to push for significant change in these vital programs. Please join us by encouraging the FCC to make this reform a reality.” In a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe urged the FCC “to take advantage of this historic opportunity” presented by the broad industry agreement on universal service and intercarrier comp revisions. “We may never see a better chance than this, and it’s time to end the waiting for those without broadband,” Beebe, a Democrat, wrote in a letter dated and released Thursday.