USTelecom wants the FCC to hold off on adopting FCC Chairman Kevi...
USTelecom wants the FCC to hold off on adopting FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s overhaul of universal service and intercarrier compensation, the trade association said Friday in a letter to commissioners. The FCC is to vote on it Nov. 4.…
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USTelecom’s stance is at odds with two of its members -- AT&T and Qwest -- who separately have endorsed the Martin plan. But USTelecom’s roster also includes small and mid- sized carriers that want the FCC not to act comprehensively on the matter Nov. 4. “Based upon our understanding of the broad outline of the proposal and oral descriptions provided to date by Commission staff, we cannot support its adoption because it is clearly not in the overall best interests of consumers; nor will it advance the nation’s interest in rural broadband deployment,” USTelecom said. “Based on numerous meetings with various Commission representatives, we believe the Commission is vastly underestimating the significant negative impact the proposal will have on rural consumers and their access not only to broadband services but also to the highest quality voice services as well.” The Martin plan is “fundamentally different” from previous proposals, and stakeholders need more time to understand it, USTelecom said. “This is particularly the case in the current financial environment and these extraordinary economic times.”