ALL FORMS OF COMMUNICATION SHOULD SUPPORT USF, STEVENS SAYS

摘要

Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is ready to tie Universal Service Fund (USF) contributions to all types of communications. 揟his technology is changing so fast?a law is needed that can work for some time, Stevens said Tues. at a hearing on the fund抯 contribution rules. It doesn抰 make sense for Congress to rewrite complex rules and then have to change them again because technology changes, he said. Stevens said the Committee is determined to get a fair set of principles on 搘ho pays in and who pays out?and to eradicate abuses in the program. Stevens, like other senators from rural areas, is protective of the USF, which helped deliver phone service to their areas at reasonable prices. But they acknowledge the problems with dwindling funds as consumers switch to wireless and VoIP while payouts increase.nn揥e must make sure the law keeps pace with the changing landscape,?said Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), who has introduced a bill (S-2256) that would broaden the contribution base and require the FCC to develop a neutral distribution methodology. 揥e抳e got to pass this bill this year,?Burns said. 揑抦 glad this debate is under way.?Wireless carriers told the committee they抮e wary of 揳nticompetitive?proposals that would discriminate against their industry. The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Assn. told the committee it believes a contribution system based on numbers and capacity is the best alternative. 揟here抯 a growing consensus for [FCC Chmn. Kevin] Martin抯 numbers-based approach,?said Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.), adding: 揥e need to be talking about real reform.?