FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2008
Contact: David LaFuria, (703) 584-8666
media@WirelessAcrossAmerica.org  

WIRELESS ACROSS AMERICA COMMENTS ON POTENTIAL REGULATORY THREATS TO WIRELESS EXPANSION IN RURAL AREAS

Coalition of Rural Wireless Providers Stands Firm Against Anti-Competitive Measures

Background: On January 29, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released three Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (NPRMs) on universal service. One NPRM proposed eliminating the "identical support" rule. Wireless Across America today issues the following statement:

Millions of consumers in America depend on wireless phone service every day. Wireless access is essential to America's safety, prosperity and global competitiveness. Eliminating the "identical support" rule will impede the advance of wireless service to rural areas and cause harm to consumers and small businesses across America. Similarly, the potential resurrection of the wireless-only cap proposal would also pose a severe threat to critical funding for the expansion of rural wireless services.

If either proposal is approved, rural communities could experience limited expansion of access and a deepening of the digital divide that could extend far beyond the simple convenience of using a wireless phone. In a day and age in which more E-911 calls come from cellular phones than landlines, limited access to reliable wireless service will hinder the ability of rural residents and first responders to communicate during emergency situations, from car accidents to medical problems to natural disasters.

Additionally, economic development in rural communities could be hindered as new industries and businesses seek alternative locations that can guarantee access to wireless technology. Rural tourism, farming and other enterprises may be similarly impacted.

Wireless Across America calls on the FCC to implement competitively neutral USF reforms that will not unfairly impact rural consumers who depend on wireless technology. They deserve the same choice of telecommunications services as their urban neighbors.

# # #

Wireless Across America is a coalition of wireless providers committed to expanding affordable, reliable wireless services for the 60 million people living in rural America. We firmly believe that the safety, security, and prosperity of rural areas relies on preserving and growing wireless infrastructure and deploying essential advances that will only be delivered to rural communities through the ongoing support of the USF. To learn more, please visit the coalition's website at http://www.wirelessacrossamerica.org/.