BIG CARRIERS SUPPORT FCC STANCE ON HIGH-COST USF

摘要

An FCC decision to maintain non-rural rules shouldn 抰 raise expenses for Universal Service Fund high-cost support,nsome telecom companies and trade associations told the FCC in comments on a remand order by the 10th U.S.nCircuit Court of Appeals by April 16. In 2005, the court decided the commission 抯 rules were unlawful and said theynaffect high-cost area carriers that are considered non-rural because they have too many lines. Some groupsnsupported the interim proceedings as a way to avoid increased high-cost support. Verizon and Verizon Wirelessnsided with the commission decision to uphold the interim decision while it concentrates on the National BroadbandnPlan. By continuing the mechanism, the FCC will 揳void a significant increase in support for voice services while thencommission converts the high-cost fund into a broadband-focused program,?the companies said.