CTIA-The Wireless Association® Statement on the FCC's Open Meeting

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After the FCC today adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to reform the Universal Service Fund and the intercarrier compensation system, CTIA-The Wireless Association® President and CEO Steve Largent released the following statement:

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"We agree that comprehensive reform of the federal Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation system is necessary in order to ensure these government programs meet the needs of U.S. consumers, who are increasingly relying on mobile wireless communications for not only their voice and broadband services, but also innovative services such as mHealth and mLearning.  Indeed, we agree with Chairman Genachowski that the Universal Service Fund must take into account the rapid consumer adoption of wireless services, and we believe that ensuring support is available for the deployment of mobile broadband services in high cost areas is an essential element for successful reform.

"The FCC has recognized that the current universal service system, with its emphasis on legacy wireline voice technology, does not reflect market or technological realities. As it exists today, the high cost Universal Service Fund is administratively complex, guarantees profits for incumbent wireline networks and promotes inefficiency. Similarly, the antiquated intercarrier compensation system imposes a convoluted and imbalanced set of rules on communications providers that ultimately reduces consumer choice and obstructs innovation. We agree with the Chairman, multiple Commissioners and leading members of Congress that it is time to revamp these outdated rules.

"Two weeks ago, President Obama used the State of the Union Address to set a national goal of deploying the next generation of high-speed wireless coverage to 98 percent of all Americans within five years. We urge the FCC to adopt reforms of the Universal Service Fund and the intercarrier compensation system that advance that goal and that maintain the United States' mobile broadband leadership."

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association

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