Coalition To Keep America Connected.

Washington, D.C., February 9, 2006 -- The Coalition to Keep America Connected applauds Senator Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) for introducing legislation that would reform portions of the nation's telecom laws.

The "Internet and Universal Service Act of 2006," S. 2256, is a step in the right direction and seeks to bring our long-standing national goal of universal service in line with the technological and competitive realities of today's telecommunications market.

"We are particularly pleased with provisions in the bill that would broaden the base of contributors into the universal service fund to ensure contributions are assessed in a fair and competitively neutral manner while limiting future growth in the fund by tightening up accountability on competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs), which account for the vast majority of growth in the fund," OPASTCO President and Coalition Representative John Rose stated.

If enacted, the bill would help ensure that those living in rural America continue to have access to the same telecommunications services, including advanced services, as those that live in urban and suburban areas.

The Coalition to Keep America Connected looks forward to working closely with Senator Burns on his landmark legislation introduced on a landmark day - the 10th anniversary of enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

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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.