Washington DC (Feb. 1, 2008) The Coalition to Keep America Connected today released the following statement in response to recent statements regarding the wireline telephone industry that serves rural America.  The following statement may be attributed to Curt Stamp, President, Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance (ITTA).

 

Recently, CTIA-The Wireless Association asked federal decision-makers to address rampant waste, fraud, and abuse allegedly perpetrated by incumbent wireline telephone companies.  In fact, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service found last year that recent growth in the Federal Universal Service Fund (USF) program is due to more than 100% annual increases in funding provided to mostly wireless telecommunications companies.  By contrast, the same analysis revealed that cost-based support offered to incumbent wireline telephone companies has been flat or even declined since 2003.   These allegations are erroneous because incumbent carriers, whose support has remained flat or declined, are subject to rigorous accounting regulation, quality of service standards, and consumer-based obligations, while wireless carriers are generally not bound by any similar requirements.  In fact, the FCC recently stated that, competitive ETCs have a greater incentive to expand the number of subscribers, particularly those located in the lower-cost parts of high-cost areas, rather than to expand the geographic scope of their networks.

 

The Coalition to Keep America Connected champions long-term USF reform that will strengthen our nation's communications networks and deliver new and advanced services throughout the United States.  Our efforts, in collaboration with industry colleagues and federal and state regulators, are best served by attention to the facts, rather than bald rhetoric.

 

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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.