EDUCAUSE | Universal Service Fund

Exploring the Interrelationship Between State Networks and Health Care Network Systems

drupal — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 09:44:14 -0600

This panel will discuss the interrelation between state networks and health care networks. In particular, the discussion will focus on the various community perspectives of the FCC-funded (Universal Service Fund) rural health care initiative and how we can work together as a community to educate the FCC on the role of regional and state networks.

Phone Pork

drupal — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:58:19 -0500

"The telecom reform bill now pending in the U.S. Senate could include a cap on the $7 billion-a-year boondoggle the nation's rural telephone carriers collect."

How Washington will shape the Internet

drupal — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 11:51:00 -0500

The author discusses to what extent the federal government might get involved in the Internet with the re-writing of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

Rural Living, High-speed Internet Access?

drupal — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 10:32:19 -0600

The state of Maine is working on an internet project to bring wireless Internet service to 90 percent of Maine communities that meet a population threshold (five people per square mile) by 2010.

Broadband Bill Hews to Laissez-faire Line

drupal — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 09:40:30 -0600

"As part of a planned update of a 1996 telecommunications law, Congress will consider a new proposal that starts with a simple premise: The government should be minimally intrusive when enacting regulations."

FCC Chief Backs Net Phone Taxes

drupal — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 12:11:08 -0600

Chairman Kevin Martin said that imposing new taxes on more Internet phone users will probably be a priority next year for the FCC. The issue arose with regard to the Universal Service Fund (USF), which subsidizes services in rural and other high-cost areas, schools, and libraries. Long-distance, pay, wireless, and regular telephone services pay into the fund. Not determined are how such taxes will affect voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) providers and other telecommunications services. Some of the companies that provide VoIP services already contribute to the USF, but no regulations require such participation."We need to move to collection for the Universal Service Fund that is technology-neutral," said Martin. Congress also is expected to address changes to universal service reform in 2006.

Plan Treats All Broadband Providers Alike

drupal — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 12:04:25 -0500

"House committee floats bill to bring cable, DSL under same regulatory policies."

FCC Updates Katrina Recovery But Excludes VoIP Community

drupal — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 12:00:40 -0500

"The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday that much more work remains to be done to restore telephone and other communications services to the area affected by Hurricane Katrina, and proposed using $211 million from the Universal Service Fund to help in the restoration effort."

Higher Education Comments on Possible FCC Regulation of Internet Services

drupal — Fri, 28 May 2004 14:37:35 -0500

On May 28, 2004 EDUCAUSE filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) arguing that any regulation of Internet-based services, in particular, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), should recognize and treat the Internet as a unique technology, distinct from the heavily regulated telephone industry. EDUCAUSE recommends that the FCC adopt an IP-centric regulatory model; refrain from regulating applications except to ensure the provision of vital public services; carefully monitor the infrastructure providers; and develop new funding strategies. The need for revamping the Universal Service Fund to accommodate the transition to IP-enabled services is also discussed.