USF Reform Takes a Big Step Forward

By David Byrd

Yesterday the FCC vote unanimously to approve its proposal to reform the Universal Service Fund (USF). While not making the national news, this is a big deal. The proposal changes the way we will fund broadband expansion into rural or underserved areas, addresses the issues of traffic pumping, arbitrage and carrier disputes. The proposal includes the creation of a new fund, the Connect America Fund, that will have an annual budget capped at $4.5 billion to support wired” broadband expansion. During the meeting comments were also made that the new reforms and expansion of broadband would positively impact 7 million people and generate a half-million jobs over the next six years.

In addition to creating a new process for the distribution of the funds, the FCC also changed the rules associated with InterCarrier Compensation (ICC). Although this was expected, Broadvox and other ISPs and ITSPs will have to conduct further analysis to determine how these changes will impact our carrier/wholesale business.

Most industry analysts like the reforms but all have expressed concern with regard to the implied favoritism or tilt towards the large ILECs, AT&T and Verizon. The Connect America Fund is to give the ILECs preferred or exclusive access to nearly all of the funding. Cable operators will receive support only where an ILEC chooses not to exercise its right of first refusal.  

The proposal also provides for:

Until I receive an analysis of how the reform will affect Broadvox, I plan to withhold judgment. However, I do appreciate the need for the reforms. Like many, I would hope that any of the pending court challenges would be made on the basis of improving the proposal, not gutting it. Further delays in revising the USF and ICC will only cause uncertainty that will hinder network/infrastructure investments and revenue planning for carriers.

See you on Monday.

David Byrd is vice president of marketing and sales for

Broadvox,

and is responsible for marketing and channel sales programs to SMBs, enterprises and carriers as well as defining the product offering. Prior to joining Broadvox, David was the vice president of Channels and Alliances for Eftia and Telcordia. As director of eBusiness Development with i2 Technologies, he developed major partnerships with many of the leaders in Internet eCommerce and supply chain management. As CEO of Planet Hollywood Online he was a pioneer in using early Internet technologies to build a branded entertainment and eCommerce website company partnered with Planet Hollywood. Having over 20 years of telecom sales and marketing experience, he has held executive positions with Hewlett-Packard, Sprint and Ericsson.