Fergie's Tech Blog

Wireless is Losing the Universal-Service Battle

Heather Forsgren Weaver writes on RCR Wireless News:

Cutting wireless out of the universal-service system seems to be gaining traction with the introduction of legislation in the House of Representatives that would make it much more difficult for mobile-phone carriers to qualify for universal-service support. Further, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission said the universal-service fund should not be used to create artificial competition.

Reps. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) and Rick Boucher (D-Va.) finally introduced their Universal Service Reform Act of 2006 after releasing a draft of the bill last year. The draft included provisions that hurt wireless, and the revamped version of the legislation does not improve wireless’ situation.

posted by Fergie @ 3/31/2006 11:49:00 AM