STATE CONSUMER ADVOCATES SEEK REJECTION OF 12.9 PERCENT USF FACTOR

摘要

The FCC should reject the 12.9 percent contribution factor proposed by the Universal Service Administrative Co. for universal service in the third quarter, said the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. The new factor takes effect July 1 unless the FCC changes it. NASUCA said the FCC could reduce the factor by telling USAC to dip into $1 billion in unused USF E-rate money or nearly $6 billion in assets held for the federal fund. "With high unemployment levels, foreclosures across the nation and everyone's household budgets being stretched thin, we call on the FCC to reduce the proposed hike in the Universal Service Fund's contribution level," said NASUCA President David Springe. "The goals of the universal service fund are extremely important, but to demand that consumers pay the highest contribution level in history is to hurt the very customers we are trying to help."