Senators Press FCC on Mobility Fund
A bipartisan group of 28 senators asked the FCC to update the USF Mobility Fund. “USF should support mobile broadband at a minimum of today’s level to close the coverage gap while preserving existing service,” said the letter dated Monday,…
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led by Communications Subcommittee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. “We ask you to give special attention as you work to establish Phase II of the USF’s Mobility Fund (MF). Given the importance of mobile services today, the MF should be retained and updated to ensure that funding will promote new mobile broadband deployment in unserved rural and agricultural areas and preserve and upgrade mobile broadband where it is currently available. Importantly, the FCC must rely on realistic measurements of network experience on the ground to determine areas to support.” Competitive Carriers Association President Steve Berry lauded the letter. “USF must provide sufficient and predictable support to preserve and expand mobile broadband networks to meet consumers’ growing demand for wireless services and to ensure high-speed mobile broadband is readily available for subscribers, regardless of location,” Berry said. “As the FCC works to establish Phase II of USF’s Mobility Fund, CCA encourages the Commission to continue to make preserving and expanding mobile broadband in rural areas a top priority. I totally agree with the Senators on the importance of broadband for agriculture connectivity as well as economic, educational, health care, public safety, and social connectivity.”