Wicker to FCC: Update Rural Broadband Rules

Press Release

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, is asking Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler to make Universal Service Fund (USF) support available for broadband when rural consumers choose not to purchase voice telephone service. The FCC does not currently permit such support. Wicker was joined by a bipartisan group of 60 senators in sending a letter to Chairman Wheeler -- similar to a letter sent in 2014.

"As technology advances, it is critical that broadband-capable networks are available to all rural customers, regardless of their decision to purchase voice services," Wicker said. "In rural states like Mississippi, broadband access is particularly important to businesses and local communities. It is time for the FCC to take sensible steps to modernize its outdated rules."

Over the past several years, there has been a rising trend of individuals opting to use wireless phones or voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services instead of traditional telephone service. This trend has begun to reach rural households, who are increasingly subscribing to "broadband-only" service in their homes.

Requests from rural consumers present a growing dilemma for rural carriers. Under current FCC rules, local exchange carriers are required to provide broadband to receive USF support, but lose USF support if their customers subscribe to that broadband service without also purchasing voice service. Unless this problem is addressed by the FCC, the current rules will increasingly lead to an unintended outcome of less choice for rural consumers when the goal of national universal service policy is to increase broadband deployment and adoption in rural areas.

Rural carriers are seeking an interim solution to the problem, and this letter is meant to encourage the FCC to craft such a solution.

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