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News SectionCategories: All FCC Comments Letters News Articles OP-EDS Press Releases Economic Contribution of Telecommunication Companies Serving Greater Minnesota.
Filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to the agency's Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) regarding Universal Service Fund (USF) and intercarrier compensation (ICC) reform.
The NTCA, OPASTCO and the Western Telecommunications Alliance have joined forces once again, jointly sending a letter last week to Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack asking him to escalate rural telco concerns about certain elements of the Connect America Fundorder adopted by the FCC late last year.
In addition the groups asked Vilsack to help prevent the FCC from undertaking several additional reform measures.
Two lawsuits have been filed against the FCC over its recent Universal Service and inter-carrier compensation reform order, reports Hillicon Valley.
According to the report, the filings were made by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and Core Communications, a small telephone company. Both filings allege that the order was “arbitrary and capricious” and a “departure from reasoned decision-making,” Hillicon Valley reports. In addition, the Pennsylvania PUC argues that the order violates the 10th Amendment, which leaves powers not given to the federal government to the states, the report said.
Core Communications, a small telephone company, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission are suing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over its recent order to convert a multibillion dollar telephone fund into a subsidy to expand Internet access.
Both suits allege that the agency's order was "arbitrary and capricious" and a "departure from reasoned decision-making."
The Effect of Changes in Universal Service Funding on the Economic Contribution of Rural Local Exchange Carriers to the North Dakota State Economy.
Begun the process of reviewing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Order on Universal Service Fund (USF) and intercarrier compensation (ICC) reform.
The Federal Communication Commission's plan to shift funds from spreading basic telephone service to expanding broadband service has dialed up mixed feelings from providers in the Midlands.
Released a statement regarding today's historic vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Universal Service Fund (USF) and intercarrier compensation (ICC) reform.
The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO) and the Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) released a statement regarding today’s historic vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Universal Service Fund (USF) and intercarrier compensation (ICC) reform. These mechanisms are essential to the deployment and operation of networks in high- cost areas, and the Rural Telecom Associations have long sought carefully calibrated solutions to ensure the sufficiency and sustainability of the USF and ICC frameworks.
Effects of USF and ICC reform on small rural providers, businesses and constituents.
Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), testified on behalf of NTCA, the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO) and the Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today in the matter of “Universal Service Reform—Bringing Broadband to All Americans.” She testified that rural telecom companies create rural jobs, fuel the rural economy and connect rural America to the world. She also noted that a recently released study showed that rural telecom also contributes $9.6 billion to urban areas through purchased goods. “We speak of universal service, but we really need to view these programs in the context of a universal economy,” she stated. “Flash-cuts or ill-advised reforms would undermine economic recovery and growth.”
In 2009, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created a National Broadband Plan (NBP) to encourage the deployment of broadband access to all Americans to support evolving needs for data com- munications. In 2010, The FCC created a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to communicate poten- tial changes to current telecommunications funding mechanisms to support the implementation of the NBP. Under this NPRM, Universal Service Funds (USF) currently directed to Rural Local Exchange Carriers (RLECs) in support of wired and wireless access to rural citizens would be reallocated to support the mis- sion of the NBP. The redistribution of USF funds away from local providers located in proximity to their customer base and towards large wireless broadband providers would entail both a change of service and a redistribution of economic activity.
Today, the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO) and the Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other stakeholders on universal service and intercarrier compensation reform, so that consumers everywhere will have sustainable access to the robust broadband infrastructure that drives our nation’s ability to compete in the global economy, innovate, educate, and create jobs for millions of Americans. The associations released a joint statement following today’s speech by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski on the FCC’s proposal for historic reforms to be voted on during the Commission’s open meeting later this month.
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