Senators To FCC: Put The Brakes On Nov. 4 Telecom Reform

Sens Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska), John Tester (D-MT), Max Baucus (D-MT), Christopher Bond (R-MO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) have written the Federal Communications Commission asking the FCC to rethink its timeframe regarding next week's vote on a proposed order for intercarrier compensation and Universal Service Fund (USF) reform. They say that the FCC should "postpone moving forward with this proposal until more steps have been taken to weigh the potential disadvantages to rural customers." The senators also requested that "the proposal be published in the Federal Register, and the FCC seek public comment on these very important issues." The letter continues: "While your stated goal is to encourage broadband deployment, we are concerned your proposal may actually hinder this process. While our home states and other states with large rural areas continue to make strides in expanding their wireless and broadband capabilities, there are still areas having no service or unreliable service. Sens John Cornyn (R-TX), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Mary L. Landrieu (D-LA) and David Vitter (R-LA) have sent individual letters to the FCC expressing their opposition to the order.