FCC Drops ICC/USF Reform from Nov 4 Agenda

The Federal Communications Commission has deleted from its Nov 4 agenda a consideration of comprehensive reform of intercarrier compensation and universal service. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said, ". I am disappointed that we will miss the opportunity for comprehensive reform. Instead my colleagues have requested that we once again seek public comment on several proposals. As a result such a notice would make little progress and ask for comment again on the most basic and broad questions about reforming the two programs." His colleagues on the Commission issued a joint release saying, "We remain committed to fulfilling our obligation to tackle these difficult issues, and have set forth a reasonable path for completing comprehensive reform. We remain hopeful that the consensus process we have pursued regarding this issue will ultimately lead to a thoughtful, well-reasoned item that will inure to the benefit all Americans." They noted that they have given Chairman Martin bi-partisan, constructive and substantive suggestions and believe they can be ready to vote on the reform proposals by Dec 18, 2008.