Access Humboldt advocates on Universal Service Fund

UPDATE: FCC adopted new rules - Congressman Mike Thompson filed this press release announcing the action - http://mikethompson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=266913 and included comments of Access Humboldt:

"Access Humboldt applauds the FCC action yesterday (October 27, 2011) to establish the Connect America Fund which will help to support broadband communications access in remote rural places, such as the North Coast of California, that have not been well served by legacy providers and universal service mechanisms,” said Sean McLaughlin, Executive Director of Access Humboldt. “We particularly appreciate the constructive efforts of our Congressman Mike Thompson to support community broadband developments, such as recently funded projects of the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, which will help our local communities to develop appropriate local solutions to meet local needs."

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be considering major changes to the Universal Service Fund (USF), including creation of the "Connect America Fund" and reform of Inter Carrier Compensation elements at their next public meeting on October 27, 2011. For reference, the proceedings involve: WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 07-135, 05-337, 03-109; GN Docket Nos. 09- 51; CC Docket Nos. 01-92, 96-45

FCC Chair Julius Genachowski announced his proposal on October 6th - and many consumer advocates and public interest groups have raised questions and concerns about the plan. FCC press release is here: http://www.fcc.gov/document/genachowski-unveils-connect-america-fund

This week Access Humboldt joined in submitting three letters to the FCC expressing public interest concerns and sharing recommendations regarding various aspects of the Connect America Fund and Inter Carrier Compensation plans. Letters were authored by the Schools Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (shlbc.org), the Rural Broadband Policy Group, and by the Center for Media Justice, Center for Social Inclusion and The Utility Reform Network. Those letters, representing more than fifty (50) public interest groups around the nation, are attached below.

In summary - key issues of concern raised by Access Humboldt and other public interest groups include:

FCC must require that USF/CAF recipients provide adequate broadband capacity to anchor institutions;
Local ownership and investment in community must be priorities;
Communities that 'self-provision' are eligible for USF funds;
Consumer protections must stay in place;
Carriers that receive public subsidies must be required to interconnect their networks and fulfill public interest obligations;
Ensure that end-­‐user rates are not raised;
Ensure our communities do not subsidize corporate enrichment;
Establish performance goals for the reformed high cost programs that promote equity; and,
Ensure state accountability for equity.

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For more information, contact:
Sean McLaughlin
Access Humboldt
t: 707-616-2381
e: sean@accesshumboldt.net

Attachments