It's coming, no stopping it. If anyone thought double taxation was bad, how about a triple play? I sure hope somebody comes to their senses in DC soon. Whats a small guy to do?
On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 12:42 AM, MDK <rea...@muddyfrogwater.us> wrote: > Great, they want to tax us now. > > Nothing like getting kicked in the head. Tax the little guy to subsidize > the big one. What a wonderful plan. > > This is worse than NOTHING. > > > > +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > Neofast, Inc, Making internet easy > 541-969-8200 509-386-4589 > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > From: Brian Webster > Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 9:37 AM > To: memb...@wispa.org ; 'WISPA General List' ; motor...@afmug.com > Subject: [WISPA] USF Reform Bill Introduced - The most compelling reason > todocument and map your network coverage ever > > Steve Coran just posted the message below to the WISPA FCC committee list. I > took particular note to the following statement: > > > > - would reduce or deny support to wireline incumbents in areas where at > least 75% of households can receive voice and broadband from a competitive > provider that does not receive support > > > > Now the way I read the above statement is that if a WISP covers 75% of a > current USF recipients service area, there will no longer be eligibility to > receive USF funds. Remember if they have broadband they also have access to > many VOIP providers even if you do not provide VOIP services. Vonage and > Skype come to mind, not to mention cellular coverage. This would be a huge > factor in leveling the playing field for WISP’s in rural markets! I cannot > see a more compelling reason to document and map your networks than this. > Not only will it prevent yet another subsidized competitor from coming in to > your service area, but it will also erode funding for any Telco who > currently receives USF in your markets. This would bring wireless as a > delivery method to the forefront because there are then no artificial > revenue streams subsidizing the cost to deliver last mile service. We all > know that wireless has the least cost per household passed in low density > markets. > > > > There are many ways to document and map your coverage areas. First and > foremost though is that you should file the Form 477 as required. Next one > should map their network with an accurate service area where you would > confidently offer service. This can be done many ways (including paying me > to do it). This also shows a very important reason to be participating in > your state broadband mapping efforts. I would expect that those state maps > will become one of the major verification sources to establish the 75% > coverage. The FCC 477 database will probably become another verification > source. If you are listed in both of them it would be very hard for someone > to say you don’t exist and don’t offer coverage in their areas. > > > > One of the downsides to this bill is that all broadband providers will be > required to contribute to the fund. My gut feeling though is that if WISP’s > were accurately mapped and documented it would show so much less of the US > is unserved by broadband and thus the required funding through USF to get it > there will be much less. > > Brian > > ---------------------------------- > > > > Last week, Reps. Boucher (D-VA) and Terry (R-NE) introduced legislation that > would reform the Universal Service Fund. The Press Release, Overview, > Section by Section summary and text of the bill are available at this link: > > http://www.boucher.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1579&Itemid=122 > > > > I have not read these documents, but plan to do so soon. A few highlights > that the trade press has noted: > > - would reduce or deny support to wireline incumbents in areas where at > least 75% of households can receive voice and broadband from a competitive > provider that does not receive support > > - FCC would create cost model that includes broadband in figuring > support models > > - competitive bidding among wireless carriers for USF support > > - no more than two wireless CETCs could get support in the same area > > - carriers would have 5 years to provide broadband throughout their > service areas, or would lose support > > - all broadband providers would pay into USF to expand contribution base > > - FCC to decide appropriate speed for broadband > > > > Rep. Boucher has said that the bill is on his "front burner" and that he > wants to get the legislation passed this Fall. Please feel free to comment > on-list AFTER you've reviewed the documents so that you can promote > education of the WISPA membership and help shape whatever position WISPA may > wish to take as the bill works its way through Congress. Thanks. > > > > Stephen E. Coran > > Rini Coran, PC > > 1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600 > > Washington, D.C. 20036 > > 202.463.4310 - voice > > 202.669.3288 - cell > > 202.296.2014 - fax > > sco...@rinicoran.com - e-mail > > www.rinicoran.com > > www.telecommunicationslaw.com > > > > ________________________________ > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > WISPA Wants You! 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