Verizon Ready to Work on Reforming Universal Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski on Thursday (Oct. 6), unveiled a plan to reform and update the Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation programs. His proposal follows the release earlier this year of America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan, which was supported by a broad-based coalition of broadband providers. The following statement should be attributed to Kathleen Grillo, Verizon senior vice president, federal regulatory affairs:

“We congratulate Chairman Genachowski for putting forward a plan to reform the broken intercarrier compensation and universal service programs. If done right, the reforms will connect millions of rural Americans to broadband networks and transform these programs to meet the needs of consumers in today’s Internet- and broadband-centric society.

“The FCC has a unique opportunity to put in place policies that will bring all the benefits of broadband connectivity to millions of additional consumers. Verizon stands ready to continue working with the FCC, the industry coalition and other policymakers to help get the job done.”