Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., urged the FCC to move...
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., urged the FCC to move forward with its overhaul of the Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation. In a letter dated Tuesday to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, Emerson cited “a serious problem with broadband connectivity…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
in rural America.” Emerson chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the FCC. “The Commission needs to continue with reform of these two programs in a manner that is aimed at meeting the objective of accelerating broadband deployment to rural areas -- and doing so in a fiscally responsible way -- by carefully targeting support and keeping the high-cost Universal Service Fund within its current budget,” Emerson said. In a separate letter to Genachowski dated Sept. 23, the congressional delegation from Idaho applauded the FCC and the industry’s overhaul efforts. “We are encouraged by the recent discussions with Idaho stakeholders,” said Sens. Mike Crapo and James Risch and Reps. Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador, all Republicans from the state. “You have already received a careful review process and feedback that gives you and the FCC an opportunity to reform and update the USF and its core mission mandate and goals."