Workshop on Universal Service Fund/Intercarrier Compensation Reform (Omaha, Nebraska)

Workshop on Universal Service Fund/Intercarrier Compensation Reform

Federal Communications Commission
May 18, 2011
Omaha, Nebraska
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-751A1.doc
Agenda: http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0509/DOC-306412A...

The May 18th workshop will primarily focus on the appropriate roles and balance of responsibilities of the states and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for universal service and intercarrier compensation in a broadband world. A range of USF topics will be discussed, including the designation of eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs), broadband provider-of-last-resort obligations, enforcement of broadband performance requirements, appropriate geographic areas for targeting broadband support, and the optimal method for providing long-term Connect America Fund (CAF) support. ICC issues will also be discussed, focusing on the role of the states and the FCC as the ICC reform process moves forward, including state reform efforts and incentives. Panelists participating in the workshop are expected to come prepared to discuss responses to reform proposals and are welcome to bring new ideas to the table. Additional details concerning the workshop agenda and panelists will be forthcoming.

AGENDA
Note: this preliminary agenda is subject to change
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Welcome Remarks:
• Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission (Chair, Universal Service Federal/State Joint Board)
• Michael Copps, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
• Anne Boyle, Commissioner, Nebraska Public Service Commission
• Larry Landis, Commissioner, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (State Chair, Federal/State Joint Conference on Advanced Services)
• John Burke, Board Member, Vermont Public Service Board

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Panel: The Evolution of the State/Federal Partnership in a Broadband World
Participants:
• Moderator: Alex Minard, Attorney Advisor, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau
• Peter Bluhm, Principal, National Regulatory Research Institute (author of NRRI’s “Carriers of Last Resort: Updating a Traditional Doctrine”)
• Lisa Scalpone, General Counsel, ViaSat/WildBlue
• Doug Garrett, Regional Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, West Region, Cox Communications, Inc.
• Tom Conry, General Manager, Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company
• Teri Ohta, Senior Corporate Counsel, T-Mobile

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Panel: State and Federal Roles in ICC Reform
• Co-moderators: Anne Boyle, Commissioner, Nebraska PUC; Sharon Gillett, Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC
• Hank Hultquist, Vice President, Federal Regulatory, AT&T
• Ken Pfister, Vice President Strategic Policy, Great Plains Communications
• Kathleen Abernathy, Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs and Public Affairs, Frontier Communications, Inc.
• Rich Morris, Senior Counsel, Federal and State Government Affairs, Sprint

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Break

3:00 – 4:30
Panel: Targeting Support & Transitioning to the Long Term Connect America Fund
Participants:
• Moderator: Carol Mattey, Deputy Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau
• Jeff Lanning, Director Federal Regulatory, CenturyLink
• Kevin Hess, Senior Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs, TDS Telecommunications Corp.
• Wendy Fast, Owner, Consolidated Telephone Company
• Jim Kohler, Deputy Director, Enterprise Technology Services, State of Alaska

4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Consumer Discussion and Public Forum
Participants: Federal and state commissioners, the public.
Moderator: Sharon Gillett and Roger Goldblatt, Associate Bureau Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC

The workshop will be free and open to the public, and will also be streamed live at http://www.fcc.gov/live. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. The request should include a detailed description of the accommodation needed and contact information. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible in order to allow the agency to satisfy such requests whenever possible. Send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).

For further information, contact Patrick Halley in the Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-1500, or via e-mail at Patrick.Halley@fcc.gov