The FCC seems to be setting up intercarrier compensation and Universal Service Fund overhaul proposals for its Nov. 4 meeting. Whether Chairman Kevin Martin will propose a complete overhaul there was still fluid, sources said. A court order gave the commission until Nov. 5 to explain the statutory basis for its ISP-bound traffic compensation regime. Industry officials said the Wireline Bureau is soliciting comments on several comprehensive proposals.
The FCC will reform intercarrier compensation and the Universal Service Fund together, perhaps this year, Tom Tauke, Verizon executive vice president, told reporters Thursday. “If [reform is] going to happen, it’s going to happen in a package,” Tauke said. Two months ago, he doubted intercarrier reform could happen this year, he said. Taking compensation together with USF distribution and contribution is “a lot to swallow,” but court pressure and growing industry consensus makes him optimistic, Tauke said. Now is the “last best chance” for the telecom and technology sector to ally and reform an “unsustainable” system, he said.
The Rural Cellular Association formally challenged an FCC interim cap on the Universal Service Fund high-cost program, filing a reconsideration petition over the weekend. The group was expected to file a motion for stay on Monday, but hadn’t at our deadline. The reconsideration petition also was signed by small wireless competitive eligible telecommunications carriers. “The high-cost fund ‘emergency’ alleged by the commission is a farce,” said RCA Executive Director Eric Peterson. “The decision to implement the cap is based on inaccurate facts, false assumptions, flawed legal reasoning and ignores Congressional direction and the principle of competitive neutrality.”
Changes to the universal service fund program need to be “fair and equitable for all consumers, no matter where they live,” the Independent Telephone and Telecommunication Alliance said in a letter to House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich. The group, which represents mid-size local exchange carriers working mainly in rural areas, praised Dingell’s comments calling the fund a “fundamental American value” at a House hearing (CD June 25 p1). Changes are needed in light of the advance of broadband, ITTA President Curt Stamp said in his letter. Congress is likely to get serious about USF reform soon, now that consumers are paying an 11.4 percent surcharge on their phone bills, said Free State Foundation President Randolph May, who testified at the hearing. Several members cited the 11.4 percent surcharge as an “impetus for getting on with the business of reform,” May said in a blog Friday. “Consumers have finally begun to pay attention,” he said.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has accomplished little on communications, ex-FCC chairman William Kennard said Wednesday in a debate hosted by the Media Access Project. Kennard spoke for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., while former NTIA official John Kneuer backed McCain. Obama has a significantly more detailed technology policy, despite a shorter resume, Kennard said. McCain is opposed to Washington “micromanagement” of the industry, and has been dealing with communications issues for years, Kneuer said. The industry has a “stark, stark choice,” Kennard said.
Sen. John McCain has accomplished little on communications, ex-FCC chairman William Kennard said Wednesday in a debate hosted by the Media Access Project. Kennard spoke for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., while former NTIA official John Kneuer backed McCain, R-Ariz. Obama has a significantly more detailed technology policy, despite a shorter resume, Kennard said. McCain is opposed to Washington “micromanagement” of the industry, and has been dealing with communications issues for years, Kneuer said. The industry has a “stark, stark choice,” Kennard said.
Sen. John McCain has accomplished little on communications, ex-FCC chairman William Kennard said Wednesday in a debate hosted by the Media Access Project. Kennard spoke for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., while former NTIA official John Kneuer backed McCain, R-Ariz. Obama has a significantly more detailed technology policy, despite a shorter resume, Kennard said. McCain is opposed to Washington “micromanagement” of the industry, and has been dealing with communications issues for years, Kneuer said. The industry has a “stark, stark choice,” Kennard said.
Democratic FCC commissioners said Monday that a study on broadband deployment in North Carolina illustrates the need for federal government involvement in a national broadband strategy. At a New America Foundation forum, Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein said such a plan should be based on a partnership between the public and private sectors.
Democratic FCC commissioners said Monday that a study on broadband deployment in North Carolina illustrates the need for federal government involvement in a national broadband strategy. At a New America Foundation forum, Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein said such a plan should be based on a partnership between the public and private sectors.
NEW ORLEANS -- Expressions of concern were coupled with predictions that there would be little action on telecom legislation in this election year, said a panel of Hill staffers at the NCTA convention. A discussion about network neutrality legislation produced few fireworks, with House Commerce staffers from both sides agreeing that market solutions would be the first option rather than legislating a regulatory framework. Amy Levine, counsel to Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., said that “where we go from here depends a lot on what happens out in the marketplace.”