Arlington, Va. , August 3, 2007 - Congressman Zack Space (D-OH) has sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin expressing his support for the interim cap proposed earlier this year by the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. A final decision on the CETC cap matter is expected to come from the FCC soon.

In his July 30th letter to Chairman Martin, Rep. Space writes: "I write today to express my support for the Recommended Decision of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service pertaining to the Universal Service High-Cost fund. An emergency and temporary cap on the fund is appropriate give the significant growth of this fund and the consequences for consumers who feel the strains of this increase."

Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA), 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), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Vito Fossella (R-NY), Baron Hill (D-IN), George P. Radanovich (R-CA), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Lee Terry (R-NE), Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and Robert Wexler (D-FL) have all written to the FCC in support of the proposed interim cap on CETCs. 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.

The USF ensures reliable access to affordable telecommunications services for millions of U.S. consumers in high-cost service areas. Between 2002 and 2006, however, USF payments to CETCs increased by more than 100 percent annually. This exploding growth threatens the financial integrity of the entire USF program, which also provides support for schools, libraries and rural health care. The temporary cap is recommended by a panel of federal and state regulators, and is needed to avert a crisis that could affect millions of consumers.

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.