Reps. Terry (R-Neb.) and Stupak (D-Mich.) chastised the FCC for f...
Reps. Terry (R-Neb.) and Stupak (D-Mich.) chastised the FCC for failing to significantly reform a provision of the universal service fund (USF) Thurs. (CD Oct 17 p4). In response to a 10th U.S. Appeals Court, Denver, ruling, the FCC…
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directed state regulators to compare rural rates with urban rates and sought comments on rate reviews. The “nonrural” fund -- $234 million for Bells and other large ILECs to serve rural customers -- has come under criticism because only states receive any funding, much of which goes to BellSouth. Miss. gets the lion’s share with $120 million. Terry and Stupak are the principal sponsors of legislation (HR-1582) designed to reform the distribution formula to be based on wire centers rather than statewide averages, which supporters say would spread the fund more evenly. “When given an opportunity to fix one of the most unfair and poorly targeted programs in the federal government, the FCC took a pass,” Terry said. “By turning a deaf ear to the public outcry, they've put the ball in our court and we're going to act.” Sen. Smith (R-Ore.) has sponsored a similar bill (S- 1380).