Coalition To Keep America Connected.

Washington, D.C., February 15, 2006 -- Coalition to Keep America Connected representative Shirley Bloomfield testified on the importance of universal service (USF) before a Congressional Rural Caucus forum today on the telecommunications challenges facing rural America, as part of the coalitions continued efforts to ensure all consumers have access to affordable telecommunications services and the latest technologiesno matter where they live.

Bloomfield, vice president of government affairs and association services for the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), pointed to the coalitions three guiding principles of fairness, access and accessibility, stressing the essential role of USF in achieving those principles. She also outlined several universal service priorities the coalition urges lawmakers to incorporate into USF legislation.

In the testimony, Bloomfield said the coalition is pleased with the leadership role taken by Congressmen Lee Terry (R-Neb.) and Rick Boucher (D-Va.) in drafting legislation that aims to maintain the integrity of the nations vital USF policy, noting the legislations dual goals of spurring broadband deployment and controlling fund growth.

On provisions in the bill that would allow the universal service program to cover deployment of broadband networks, Bloomfield testified, I dont think anyone would dispute that broadband is an integral part of the commercial, economic and social viability of any community. While there are concerns that adding broadband to the universal service program will cause the size of the fund to increase, the bill takes several steps to limit potential growth.

Noting that the Terry/Boucher draft bill contains many provisions endorsed by the coalition that would modernize the highly successful universal service program, Bloomfield expressed the coalitions concern with provisions in the bill that would cap the high-cost portion of the fund.

A cap by its very nature means a carrier will not receive the support it is due and thus is antithetical to the very goal of universal service and is a disincentive to network investment, Bloomfield testified. We believe the [bills other provisions] go a long way toward meeting Congressmen Terry and Bouchers goal of limiting growth in the USF and make the proposed caps unnecessary.

Bloomfield concluded her testimony by assuring the committee that the coalition is committed to working with Congress on the critical telecommunications issues vital to rural communities nationwide.

Click here for a copy of Bloomfields written testimony. (PDF 42 KB)

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The Coalition to Keep America Connected is dedicated to ensuring that all consumers have access to affordable telecommunications services and the latest technologies-no matter where they live. The effort is organized by four rural telecom associations, whose memberships include 700 small and midsize communications companies. Together these companies serve millions of consumers and 40% of the landmass across America. Visit us at www.keepamericaconnected.org.