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Universal Service
Universal Service Deadline Changed
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 16, 2008 - 7:08amThe Federal Communications Commission just improved a lot of people's weekend. The FCC decided to change the deadline for Reply Comments three Notices of Proposed Rulemaking, seeking comment regarding the high-cost universal service support program.
Senators argue against reverse auctions for universal service
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 9, 2008 - 7:02amA bipartisan group of senators led Sen Byron Dorgan (D-ND) has written Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin urging him to abandon a plan to use reverse auctions to award universal service fund support to eligible telecom carriers in rural areas.
USF: Behind the Times
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 7, 2008 - 7:50amIt is very frustrating that we haven't been able to find a way to redirect the USF to focus on the deployment of broadband. Even more frustrating is that it's not like this is one of these issues where the incumbents are fighting any change.
Interim Cap Clears Path for Comprehensive Universal Service Fund Reform
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 5, 2008 - 7:32amIn the wake of adopting an interim cap on payments to competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) under the Universal Service Fund (Fund), the Federal Communications Commission says it has taken a crucial first step toward comprehensive reform of Universal Service and intercarrier compensation, two carrier compensation regimes that are directly interrelated.
Fewer phones, more broadband: FCC struggling to fix USF
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 5, 2008 - 7:32amA divided Federal Communications Commission has put a cap on Universal Service Fund (USF) payouts, but even the agency's majority calls it a stop-gap measure for a program in serious trouble.
Federal Communications Commission Caps Cell Phone Company USF Payments
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 2, 2008 - 7:16am"Any day now" became Thursday night for the Federal Communications Commission which agreed to temporarily cap the Universal Service Fund, a growing subsidy program that paid nearly $1.2 billion last year to cell phone companies that do business in rural areas.
Barton Releases Discussion Draft on Universal Service Fund Reform
Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 29, 2008 - 7:34pmRep. Joe Barton (R-TX), ranking member of the House Commerce Committee, released a discussion draft of a bill to reform the Universal Service Fund. The Universal Service Reform, Accountability, and Efficiency Act of 2008 would rewrite the universal service provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, limiting USF support to voice services and establishing a reverse auction to distribute USF support.
Texas PUC Approves Universal Service Fund Cut
Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 29, 2008 - 7:34pmThe Texas Public Utility Commission has unanimously approved a rules change that will reduce the state's Universal Service fund by $144 million over the next four years. The cut represents a 36.5% reduction in the funds.
FCC set to limit Universal Service Fund for rural phone subsidies
Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 29, 2008 - 7:55amThe Federal Communications Commission was poised on Monday to impose a cap on fast-growing subsidies the government allots to providers of telephone service in rural America. A proposal to limit the phone subsidies moved towards passage as FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell threw his support behind the idea, giving it a crucial third vote on the five- member commission.
Reforming Universal Service: What Should Be Done And How To Do It
Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 28, 2008 - 7:39amReforming Universal Service: What Should Be Done And How To Do It -- today at noon on Capitol Hill. For this and other upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar/2008/4
