BIG CARRIERS PRESS FOR E-RATE SUBSIDIES OF WIRELESS DATA SERVICES

摘要

Verizon and AT&T expressed general support for the revised eligible services list proposed by the Universal Service Administrative Co. to the FCC for funding year 2010. But the carriers asked the commission for tweaks to guarantee that the E- rate plan covers wireless data plans. Sprint Nextel sought changes clarifying that mobile solutions which have fundamentally changed how people communicate should also be eligible. "As proposed, expanding or clarifying E-rate eligibility for text messaging, interconnected VoIP services, and wireless local area network services is particularly useful as schools and libraries increasingly rely on these next-generation products and services," said Verizon and Verizon Wireless. But "the Commission should also adopt other ESL changes to reflect more accurately the evolving communications needs of schools and libraries." nnAT&T asked for two changes, involving wireless service. The carrier asked the FCC to revise the guidelines to guarantee that wireless data services, filed under the telecommunications category, will be considered eligible services for E-rate reimbursement. "Some cellular data plans involve data transfer only, but do not involve Internet access," AT&T said. "For example, AT&T Commercial Connectivity Service does not access the public Internet. It is unclear, based on the nature of the services involved in these plans and USAC's treatment of these services to date, how the cellular data-only plans should be categorized when applicants file for E-Rate discounts."