CTIA warned the FCC that the hikes of 12% or higher reportedly be...
CTIA warned the FCC that the hikes of 12% or higher reportedly being examined at the FCC for the federal USF contribution factor will lead to a 40% increase in the USF charge on consumer bills. CTIA Pres. Steve…
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Largent said the latest development should lead to a rethinking of the entire USF program. “Consumers already are saddled by a growing list of government mandates and in this case a 40% increase in what wireless consumers are already paying into the fund is ridiculous,” he said. “It just does not make sense to require consumers to carry that kind of a burden because of an unnecessary requirement that does nothing to improve program integrity.” Largent, a former Republican House member from Okla., urged Congress to tackle needed changes to the program during its upcoming lame duck session. “No consumer will benefit from collection of these additional funds,” Largent said. The conventional wisdom has been that Congress is more likely to reform USF if the contribution hits double digits.