A bi-partisan group of House members is urging the FCC not to ado...
A bi-partisan group of House members is urging the FCC not to adopt a primary line restriction on universal service support. Citing a recent recommendation by the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, the members said such a restriction…
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would “wholly vitiate the purpose of universal service.” The members said a primary line restriction would put rural customers at a distinct disadvantage to urban customers because 2nd lines and cell phones would be more expensive for rural residents. “Rural customers would have the right to only one phone line at a reasonable cost comparable to urban areas, and their second lines could be charged exorbitant rates,” the letter said. The members said such a step would be “drastic” and would prevent the upgrade of facilities in urban areas. The letter also urged the FCC to consider rural small businesses in its final USF decision so that the result will “ensure that your final decision will not impair their ability to maintain lines in a cost effective way.”