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| Press Release |
Wendy Mann
703.351.2148 |
11/17/05 |
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The Coalition to Keep America Connected released the following statement today in response to the discussion draft of the Universal Service Reform Act of 2005 introduced by Reps. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) an
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"The Coalition to Keep America Connected applauds Reps. Terry and Boucher for their role in bringing important universal service issues to the forefront of the debate on rewriting our nation's telecom laws, and looks forward to working closely with these champions for rural telecommunications.
"The Congressmen are to be commended for their leadership efforts, and for raising the issue to the same level of importance as the deregulation bills which have recently been the focus of House lawmakers.
"For more than 70 years, Congress has made universal service a priority. We support the Congressmen's efforts to preserve and sustain the Universal Service Fund (USF), the successful federal policy which ensures all consumers have access to affordable telecommunications services and the latest technologies-no matter where they live. The principles of universal service have enabled our country to attain a national telephone penetration rate of 94%, and the continued viability of the fund is critical if we are to reach attain an equitable rate of broadband deployment in America.
"The discussion draft by Reps. Terry and Boucher goes a long way toward ensuring the continued ability of small and mid-sized telecommunications companies to provide quality communications services at affordable rates to consumers in rural America. Rural providers use USF funds to upgrade and maintain the nation's communications network infrastructure, upon which advanced services such as voice over Internet protocol and IP video rely.
"With support from USF to provide broadband connection to remote areas of the nation, rural telephone companies give consumers access to telemedicine facilities that provide health care where it would otherwise be unavailable. Additionally, schools and libraries rely on USF programs to connect our children to the educational opportunities via the Internet. Without USF support, network investment would deteriorate and rural consumers would be stranded on the wrong side of a digital divide.
"As our national polling results indicate, Americans overwhelmingly-by a nearly 3-1 margin-support the USF and Congress' commitment to keep all Americans connected. With this draft, Reps. Terry and Boucher have demonstrated their commitment to the worthy goal of ensuring universal access to the latest communications services and the opportunities provided by these new technologies."
Click here for: ### 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. |
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