Arlington, Va. - With pressure building to secure the future of the Universal Service Fund (USF), the Coalition to Keep America Connected (Coalition) today applauded two more letters from members of Congress to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging immediate implementation of an interim cap on USF payments to competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (CETCs). Failure to apply such a cap could jeopardize the entire USF program and adversely impact millions of consumers who depend on USF to ensure affordable access to telecommunications services.
The FCC is expected to make a decision soon on the interim CETC cap, which was recommended earlier this year by the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
In his September 19 letter to FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin, Congressman Steve King (R-IA) writes: "I encourage you to act soon on the Joint Board Recommendation to cap the CETCs, so Congress can begin to address more comprehensive USF reform as detailed in H.R. 2054."
King also writes that "The fund cannot sustain itself under this rapid rate of growth, and the consequences of not controlling the fund today means higher telephone rates for my constituents and a degrade of a telecommunication network that is needed in bringing more economic development to my state, Iowa."
In his September 10 letter to FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) writes: "In the past five years the fund has experienced unprecedented growth, and the stress of the fund has made reform mandatory. The Joint Board's recent decision to impose an interim emergency cap on the CETC fund recognizes the source of this growth."
Other members of Congress who have written to the FCC in support of the proposed interim cap on CETCs include: Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Larry Craig (R-ID), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), John Thune (R-SD) and Reps. Barbara Cubin (R-WY), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Vito Fossella (R-NY), Baron Hill (D-IN), Collin C. Peterson (D-MN), George P. Radanovich (R-CA), Mike Rogers (R-MI), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Zack Space (D-OH), Lee Terry (R-NE), Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and Robert Wexler (D-FL). Additionally, more than 800 telecommunications providers from 47 states recently sent a petition to the FCC and Members of Congress in support of the cap.
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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 more than 800 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.
