April 12, 2019
Background: At an open commission meeting today, the FCC adopted an order granting forbearance on aspects of USTelecom’s petition seeking relief from certain legacy regulations and eliminated the so-called “rate floor” policy affecting consumer prices in rural America.
The following statement can be attributed to Patrick Halley, Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs:
“The Commission has put modernization and elimination of outdated regulations at the top of its reform agenda. Today’s decision to forbear was another acknowledgement by the agency of the remarkable competition and evolution in the communications marketplace since 1996. While important regulatory streamlining and updating work remains, USTelecom appreciates the Commission’s quick action granting common sense, pro-consumer, and pro-competition relief on these elements of our petition.”
The following statement can be attributed to Lynn Follansbee, Vice President, Law and Policy, USTelecom:
“Rural carriers across the country welcome the Commission’s thoughtful and important action to eliminate the ‘rate floor.’ This is another positive step forward in ensuring the sufficient and predictable funding that is essential to bring broadband to the hardest to reach parts of the country. USTelecom is committed to supporting the growth and vitality of America’s rural communications providers. This order provides significant and overdue relief to smaller carriers and enables providers to continue their focus on broadband investment and deployment.”