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Federal Communications Commission 1919 - M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 |
News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov |
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). |
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Commission Addresses Universal Services Issues Raised by Petitioners |
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The Commission today released an Order [ Word Perfect format | Zip format ] addressing various issues raised in
petitions for reconsideration and/or clarification of its May 8, 1997 and July 10,
1997 and July 18, 1997 Orders on universal service. In its May 8, 1997 Report and
Order, the Commission implemented section 254 of the Communications Act by
establishing explicit federal universal service support mechanisms that will ensure
the delivery of affordable telecommunications service to all Americans, including
low-income consumers, consumers in rural, insular and high cost areas, eligible
schools and libraries, and rural health care providers. The May 8, 1997 Report and
Order identified who must contribute to the new universal service support
mechanisms, determined who may receive universal service support or universal
service discounts, and provided methods for determining levels of universal service
support and processes for administering the new support mechanisms. On July 10,
1997, the Commission, on its own motion, released an Order that, among other
things, clarified issues concerning existing contracts for services to schools and
libraries, recovery of corporate operations expense from high loop cost support
mechanisms, and coordination between Commission and Joint Board staff. In an
Order released July 18, 1997, the Commission directed the National Exchange
Carrier Association to establish the Universal Service Administrative Company and
to create the Schools and Libraries Corporation and Rural Health Care Corporation
to perform functions associated with administering the schools and libraries and rural
health care programs, respectively. In today's Order, the Commission addresses issues raised in petitions for reconsideration of these universal service orders that were important to be resolved before the new universal service program begins on January 1, 1998. Among the conclusions reached in today's Order, the Commission:
Action by the Commission December 30, 1997, by Fourth Order on Reconsideration (FCC 97-420). Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Powell, and Tristani. With Commissioners Ness and Powell issuing separate statements; Commissioner Furchtgott-Roth dissenting and issuing a statement.
News media contacts: Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0256 or
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