Benton to FCC: Use USF to Accelerate Transition to Broadband

In comments filed at the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, the Benton Foundation argues that the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) is a crucial element in reaching the nation's goal of ubiquitous, affordable high-speed Internet service. Akin to the nation's transition from analog to digital television technology, Benton believes we are moving from traditional, plain, old telephone service (POTS) to broadband, using USF support to accelerate this transition that promises to make life more livable, businesses more productive, jobs more plentiful, and the Internet more accessible. However, at the dawn of this Digital Age, those who could benefit the most from this economically empowering technology are also those most likely to be left without access because of where they live or how much money they make.

Broadband is not only essential for the country's future economic success," said Benton Foundation Chairman and CEO Charles Benton, "it is also becoming vital to personal success. Broadband will soon be an indispensable communication technology affecting the way we learn, the way we work, and the way we communicate."

Soon broadband will offer the most affordable conduit for making phone calls to anywhere in the world, deliver the video and audio programming we want where and when we want it, and allow us to remain connected to friends, family and co-workers -- even when we leave the home or office. All of our basic communications -- television, radio, telephone, e-mail, and Internet -- will soon all require a single broadband connection. Lack of access to the tool doesn't just mean being disconnected from the Internet, it means being disconnected from the economy, from society, and from the benefits of the digital age. Broadband has become so essential, that 81% of respondents in a recent survey think America should use some of the current Universal Service Fund to expand rural broadband.

In its filing, Benton argues that the benefits of ubiquitous, affordable broadband far outweigh the potential costs to consumers -- and, in fact, it may be too costly not to invest in broadband infrastructure and affordability. Research suggests that just a seven point boost in broadband subscriptions could have a $134 billion per year positive impact on the US economy. Additionally, the switch to broadband could generate $100 billion in savings to US consumers and create new revenue streams for rural telephone carriers. Benton also argues that the FCC could limit growth in the USF by phasing out support for POTS.

Benton proposes that rather than an immediate flash cut in the current USF system's analog support, a five-year timetable for transitioning subsidies from analog to digital --with a hard analog shut-off date -- will put the United States on a more sure-footed broadband trajectory.

But Benton also argues that the FCC must not short-change low income consumers throughout the country. "Our nation's commitment to ubiquitous and affordable communications has never been more important than now," Charles Benton said. "We are only on the threshold of an information technology revolution if we preserve and strengthen our guarantee of universal, affordable communication access for all Americans."

Read the comments at http://www.benton.org/sites/benton.org/files/Benton.pdf