USF

USF Reforms Must Not Come at Consumer Expense

Lindsy Embree — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:09:49 -0400

Full article: Free Press
The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on proposed plans to revamp the Universal Service Fund. Witnesses at the hearing spent a good deal of time discussing the impact of USF reform on telecom companies, but Congress's time would be better spent looking at the impact of proposed reforms on consumer wallets.

Satellite Ops Want Piece of FCC Broadband Fund

Stevie Converse — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 08:03:17 -0400

Full article: Multichannel News
Todd Spangler
A group of satellite broadband providers -- Dish Network, EchoStar Technologies, ViaSat/Wildblue Communications and Hughes Network Systems -- told the FCC that they should be allowed to participate in the Connect America Fund. The group stated that satellite broadband providers should "be permitted to compete on an equal basis with other providers for funding to add the capacity needed to serve the unserved."

Media Minutes: November 19, 2010

Candace Clement — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:46:14 -0500

The Supreme Court will hear a case that could diminish the effectiveness of the Freedom of Information Act by determining how much information a corporation is required to make public. And the NTIA's new report outlines several proposals to get the federal government to be more efficient spectrum users. Is improved competition and better wireless access on the horizon?

FCC Commissioner Clyburn Encourages Broadband Adoption to American Library Association

Stevie Converse — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:08:45 -0400

Full article: Broadband Breakfast
Lindsey Sutphin
In a speech to the American Library Association, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn reviewed the top recommendations to expand broadband service and adoption found in the National Broadband Plan and said the most important recommendation in making broadband service available to all Americans is the overhaul of the Universal Service Fund.

Clyburn Endorses Unified Community Anchor Network to Speed Broadband Deployment

Stevie Converse — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:01:37 -0400

Full article: Benton Foundation
Speaking to the American Library Association, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn focused her remarks on National Broadband Plan recommendations that directly support libraries' efforts to promote deployment and adoption of broadband. The most significant recommendation, she pointed out, is a proposal to overhaul the Universal Service Fund.

Universal Service Broadband Buildout Likely Favors Wireless

Stevie Converse — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:59:40 -0400

Full article: Connected Planet
Joan Engebretson
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has vowed to be numbers-driven, and the document, “The Broadband Availability Gap,” contains a lot of numbers that will influence telecom policy moving forward. If the FCC moves ahead as it hopes to on Universal Service, and if its cost study is accurate, it raises a lot of questions and issues for rural carriers.

Hearing Summary -- Universal Service, Transforming the High-Cost Fund for the Broadband Era

Stevie Converse — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:21:15 -0400

Full article: Benton Foundation
On June 24, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on transforming the Universal Service Fund from its traditional role of lowering monthly telephone bills to supporting broadband deployment and adoption.

Universal Service: Transforming the High-Cost Fund for the Broadband Era

Stevie Converse — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:44:37 -0400

Full article: TMCnet.com
The Senate Commerce Committee held a full committee hearing on Universal Service: Transforming the High-Cost Fund for the Broadband Era. Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) called high-value broadband "the Great Enabler of our time."

Lawmakers Spar over FCC Internet Proposals

Stevie Converse — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:36:42 -0400

Full article: Wall Street Journal
Amy Schatz
Lawmakers questioned FCC officials about their plans to regulate Internet access and overhaul an $8 billion federal phone subsidy fund so it can be used to fund new broadband lines. The lawmakers also highlighted the partisan divide on the issue of Net Neutrality.

Republican Lawmaker: Gov't Broadband Programs Aren't Needed

Lindsy Embree — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:06:03 -0400

Full article: IDG News
Grant Gross
Government programs to help pay for broadband deployment and to subsidize its cost for customers aren't needed, in part because many residents of rural areas don't want broadband, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) said. Clearly, Rep. Barton has no direct contact or understanding of the broadband needs of those living in rural communities.