WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Cable & Telecommunications Association sent a letter today to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski about planned changes to the the universal service program. The letter, signed by Michael K. Powell, President & CEO, NCTA, applauds the Commission's effort to enact reform of the Universal Service Fund, but expresses concern about proposals in which all support in areas served by rate of return phone companies would go to those providers, while all support in areas served by price cap phone companies would be subject to a "right of first refusal" throughout their entire telephone service area. Powell says right of first refusal "ignores the fundamental principle of competitive neutrality and potentially subjects your reform efforts to unnecessary litigation risk."
The full letter is linked below.