More interim changes to the Universal Service Fund (USF) contributions system simply will delay reform, VoIP providers and others told the FCC in comments filed Wed. The FCC in a June order making interim fixes (CD June 22 p1), asked if more temporary changes were due. Commenters told the FCC not to waste time on interim fixes but to replace the revenue- based system.
Broadband Internet access providers “over all platforms” should contribute to the Universal Service Fund, 3 groups representing rural telecom companies told the FCC in an Aug. 4 ex parte. A recent FCC vote to raise the safe harbor for wireless USF contributions and to add VoIP providers to the USF contributions pool was “positive and necessary” but not enough to assure the fund’s “sustainability,” OPASTCO, the Independent Telephone & Telecom Alliance and Western Telecom Alliance said Aug. 4. As of Aug. 14, facilities-based DSL providers operating as non-common carriers no longer must contribute. Wireless and VoIP contributions might offset this drop in contributions, but “there is no assurance this will occur,” the groups said.
The Senate shut down for Aug. recess early Fri. without passing the telecom bill (HR-5252), despite Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens’ (R-Alaska) week-long drive to round up the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster. On Tues. Steven was somewhat optimistic, he told reporters after the Republican policy lunch. “I think I've got them, but I'm not sure yet.”
CTIA asked the FCC to make clear that carriers won’t have to make potentially significant retroactive payments to the USF because of confusion over the definition of “toll revenue” on a key reporting form. CTIA filed a petition for declaratory ruling at the agency, seeking guidance on questions tied to the agency’s latest USF contribution order, approved at the June agenda meeting (CD June 22 p1).
Few changes mark the latest edition of a controversial plan for reforming intercarrier compensation, submitted Mon. to the FCC by AT&T, BellSouth, Cingular and hundreds of small carriers. Now dubbed the “Missoula Plan,” it’s the final version of a proposal by the remaining elements of the NARUC forum (CD March 15 p1). The proposal immediately drew fire in the form of a statement from many industry groups and companies, including NASUCA, CTIA, NCTA and CompTel.
Telecom customers nationwide are getting stuck for a fortune needlessly subsidizing rural telephone companies via the Universal Service Fund (USF), a consumer group charged Wed. The govt. would spend less giving satellite or wireless phones to rural residents otherwise without service than it does “enriching” rural telecoms, said a representative of the Seniors Coalition in a call-in news conference.
Pessimism dogs the Senate telecom bill (HR-5252) as a shortened session’s legislative days dwindle, lawmakers hedge votes and leadership support is scant for the controversial, complex measure, Hill sources and lobbyists said. Sept. would be the earliest the bill could see floor time, Hill sources said, and even then only if major arm twisting could line up the 60 votes needed to avoid filibuster.
State preemption language entered the telecom reform fray “late in the game” and “would pretty significantly change” states’ role in wireless regulation, Dan Phythyon, Alliance for Public Technology public policy dir., said as he moderated a Thurs. discussion of the issue in D.C. These circumstances have made federal preemption of state wireless regulation a “fairly hot” issue, he said -- a conclusion backed by the heated discussion that followed. Speakers were reacting to the telecom bill that cleared the Senate Commerce Committee (CD June 29 p1) last month. State preemption language wasn’t present until the final draft.
CTIA Pres. Steve Largent met with FCC Comr. McDowell this week to discuss a variety of issues of significance to the wireless industry, including universal service reform, the need for a national regulatory framework for wireless, spectrum issues and intercarrier compensation. The meeting with McDowell was part of a series of meetings the association held at the Commission this week. The regulatory team for CTIA also met with Michelle Carey, aide to Chmn. Martin, to discuss USF reform, and with Barry Ohlson, aide to Comr. Adelstein, to discuss EAS issues.
A collection system for the Universal Service Fund (USF) based on telephone numbers gained the support of a new telecom alliance called the USF by the Numbers Coalition. The coalition - made up of groups such as NCTA, CTIA and USTelecom and its members AT&T and BellSouth -- held a news conference call Tues. to “set the story straight” on misconceptions about the plan, it said.