On February 8, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Telecommunication Act of 1996. This Act expanded the scope of the existing Universal Service provisions. The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service was established in March 1996, to make recommendations to implement the universal service provisions of the Act. This Joint Board is comprised of FCC Commissioners, State Utility Commissioners, and a consumer advocate representative.
Joint Board and Its Members
Universal Service Federal-State Joint Board List [Acrobat [1]]
Releases
2011
- 2/10/11
Order: The Honorable Anne C. Boyle, Commissioner, Nebraska Public Service Commission, Appointed to Serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
Word [2] | Acrobat [3] - 2/10/11
Public Notice: On February 17, 2011, State Members of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) will hold a workshop to assist in the preparation of their joint comments in response to the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on modernizing and streamlining its universal service and intercarrier compensation policies adopted at the Commission’s February 8, 2011 Open Meeting.
Word [4] | Acrobat [5]
2010
- 12/2/2010
Order: In this order, the Commission grants a request from Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. (GRTI), a Tribally-owned incumbent local exchange company serving the Gila River Indian Community, to waive sections 36.3, 36.123-126, 36.152-157, and 36.372-382 of the Commission’s rules to unfreeze GRTI's category relationships.
Word [6] | Acrobat [7] - 11/4/10
Recommended Decision: The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service agrees that universal service programs need to better serve low-income participants and support broadband service.
News Release: Word [8] | Acrobat [9]
Recommended Decision: Word [10] | Acrobat [11]
FCC Commissioner Clyburn (Joint Board Chair): Word [12] | Acrobat [13]
FCC Commissioner Copps: Word [14] | Acrobat [15]
FCC Commissioner Baker: Word [16] | Acrobat [17]
Chairman Ray Baum: Word [18] | Acrobat [19]
Commissioner Larry S. Landis: Word [20] | Acrobat [21]
Board Member John D. Burke: Word [22] | Acrobat [23]
Chairman James H. Cawley: Word [24] | Acrobat [25]
Senior Assistant Attorney General Simon Ffitch: Word [26] | Acrobat [27] - 6/15/2010
Public Notice: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment on Lifeline and Link-Up Eligibility, Verification, and Outreach Issues Referred to Joint Board.
Word [28] | Acrobat [29]
2009
- 12/17/2009
Order: This order appoints Commissioners Clyburn and Baker to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and the Federal-State Joint Board on Separations, and appoints the two commissioners and Chairman Genachowski to the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications Services.
Word [30] | Acrobat [31] - 9/23/2009
Public Notice and Letter: Chairman Genachowski announces the selection of Ellis Jacobs, as representative for low-income consumers, and Scott K. Bergmann, as representative, for CMRS providers, to fill two vacancies on the USAC Board of Directors. Each was the only nominee for their respective seats.
Public Notice:Word [32] | Acrobat [33]
Letter: Word [34] | Acrobat [35]
2008
- 5/20/2008
Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) waives on its own motion sections 54.702(b)(1) and 54.703(c) of the Commission’s rules that specify that one member of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Board of Director’s shall be nominated by and shall represent “interexchange carriers with more than $3 billion in annual operating revenues.” WCB finds good cause exists to waive these rules to enable the Commission to designate a member USAC Board of Directors for the seat from an interexchange carrier, regardless of its annual operating revenues. Word [36] | Acrobat [37]
2007
- 11/20/07
Recommended Decision: In this Recommended Decision, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service recommends that the Federal Communications Commission address the long-term reform issues facing the high-cost universal service support system and make fundamental revisions in the structure of existing Universal Service mechanisms. Word [38] | Acrobat [39]
FCC Chairman Martin Statement: Word [40] | Acrobat [41]
FCC Commissioner Copps Statement: Word [42] | Acrobat [43]
FCC Commissioner Tate Statement: Word [44] | Acrobat [45]
Commissioner Ray Baum Statement: Word [46] | Acrobat [47]
Chairman Lisa Polak Edgar Statement: Word [48] | Acrobat [49]
Commissioner Larry S. Landis Statement: Word [50] | Acrobat [51]
Commissioner John D. Burke Statement: Word [52] | Acrobat [53]
Assistant Attorney General Public Counsel Simon Fitch Statement: Word [54] | Acrobat [55] - 9/28/07
Order: Pursuant to sections 254(a)(1) and 410 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) appoints Simon ffitch, Assistant Attorney General, Chief, Public Counsel Section, Attorney General of Washington, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, effective October 1, 2007. Word [56] | Acrobat [57] - 9/6/07
Public Notice: The Universal Service Joint Board continues to work on the issue of fundamental reform. This document reflects a tentative agreement among the board members on the principles that may guide their deliberations. Word [58] | Acrobat [59] - 6/12/07
Order: The Commission released an order granting an extension of time for parties to file reply comments in response to the May 14, 2007 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which sought comment on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service’s recommendation that the Commission adopt an interim, emergency cap on high-cost universal service support for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers. The reply comment date is changed from June 13, 2007, to June 21, 2007. Word [60] | Acrobat [61]
Reply Comments: Reply Comments [62] filed 06/21/07. - 5/14/07
Public Notice: The Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, seeking comment on the Federal-State Joint Board on Unviersal Service's recommendation that the Commission adopt an interim, emergency cap on high-cost universal service support for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers. The Commission set the comment and reply comment deadlines as 14 and 21 days, respectively, after publication of the Notice in the Federal Register. On May 23, 2007, a summary of the Notice appeared in the Federal Register. Comment Date: June 6, 2007. Reply Comment Date: June 13, 2007. Word [63] | Acrobat [64]
Comments: Comments [65] filed 06/06/07. - 5/14/07
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking : The Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, seeking comment on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service's recommendation that the Commission adopt an interim, emergency cap on high-cost universal service support for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers. The Commission set the comment and reply comment deadlines as 14 and 21 days, respectively, after publication of the Notice in the Federal Register. Word [66] | Acrobat [67]
Comments: filed 06/06/07. - 5/1/07
News Release: 5/1/07, The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service recommended that the Federal Communications Commission take immediate action to rein in explosive growth in high-cost universal service support disbursements. The Joint Board is also seeking comment on proposals for long-term, comprehensive reform of the high-cost program. Word [68] | Acrobat [69] - 5/1/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) seeks comment on various proposals to reform the high-cost universal service support mechanisms. In a companion Recommended Decision released today, the Joint Board recommends that the Commission take immediate action to rein in the explosive growth in high-cost universal service support disbursements by imposing an interim, emergency cap on the amount of high-cost support that competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may receive. The Joint Board is committed to making further recommendations regarding long term, comprehensive high-cost universal service reform within six months. To assist the Joint Board in accomplishing this goal, we seek comment on several proposals that have been placed in the record since the close of the last comment cycle, as well as other possible reforms. The Joint Board expects parties to put forth detailed, comprehensive proposals within this comment cycle. Comments are due May 31, 2007 and reply comments are due July 2, 2007. Word [70]
Comments: Comments [71] filed 05/31/07. - 5/1/07
Recommended Decision: In this Recommended Decision, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) recommends that the Commission take immediate action to rein in the explosive growth in high-cost universal service support disbursements. Specifically, we recommend that the Commission impose an interim, emergency cap on the amount of high-cost support that competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may receive for each state based on the average level of competitive ETC support distributed in that state in 2006. We also recommend that the Joint Board and the Commission further explore comprehensive high-cost distribution reform. As part of that effort, today in a companion Public Notice we seek comment on various proposals to reform the high-cost universal service support mechanisms. We also commit to making further recommendations regarding comprehensive high-cost universal service reform within six months of this Recommended Decision. Finally, we recommend that the Commission act on these further recommendations within one year from the date of our further recommended decision. Word [72] | Acrobat [73] - 2/20/07
En Banc Hearing of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Audio Recording
Remarks of Chairman Martin
Panel 1 - Audio [74]- Remarks: Acrobat [75]
- Slides: Acrobat [76]
- Paul Garnett, CTIA--The Wireless Association - Statement [77] | Slides [78]
- Dennis Weller, Verizon - Acrobat [79]
- Dale Lehman, Alaska Pacific University (on behalf of NTCA) - Statement [80] | Paper [81]
- 2/9/07
Public Notice: The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal (Joint Board) will hold an en banc hearing on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, in Washington, DC. Word [86] | Acrobat [87]
2006
- 08/11/06
Public Notice: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service seeks comment on the merits of using auctions to determine high-cost Universal Service support. Word [88] | Acrobat [89]
Comments: Comments [90] filed 10/10/06.
Reply Comments: Reply Comments [91] filed 11/08/06. - 1/24/2006
:In this order the Commission appoints the Honorable Curt Stamp, Iowa Utilities Board, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations.
Word [92] | Acrobat [93]
2005
- 11/9/05
:This order appointed the Honorable Lisa Polak Edgar and the Honorable Larry S. Landis to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
Word [94] | Acrobat [95] - 9/13/05
:The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Extends Deadlines for Filing Comments and Reply Comments on Universal Service (Joint Board) Proposals to modify the Commission's rules relating to high-cost universal service support.
Word [96] | Acrobat [97] - 8/17/05
:The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service seeks comment on Proposals to modify the Commission's rules relating to high-cost Universal Service.
Word [98] | Acrobat [99]
2004
- 12/30/04
:The Commission approves the nomination of two state commissioners, Elliott Smith and Ray Baum, to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
Word [100] | Acrobat [101] - 11/17/04
:
Transcripts [102] | Biographies [103] | Statements [104] - 9/08/04
: DA 04-2895, CC Dkt. 96-45. The Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Nominations for Six Board Member Positions on Universal Service Administrative Company Board of Directors.
Word [105] | Acrobat [106] - 6/30/04
: FCC 04-152, CC Dkt. 96-45. The Federal Communications Commission appoints the Honorable Robert Nelson, Commissioner of the Michigan Public Service Commisssion, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
Word [107] | Acrobat [108] - 6/8/04
: FCC 04-127, CC Dkt. 96-45. In this Notice, we seek comment on the Recommended Decision of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service concerning the process for designation of eligible telecommunicatons carriers (ETCs) and the Commission's rules regarding high-cost universal service support.
Word [109] | Acrobat [110] - 2/27/04
Joint Board provides its recommendations concerning the process for designation of eligible telecommunications carriers and the Commission's rules regarding high-cost universal service support.
Recommended Decision: Word [111] | Acrobat [112]
Abernathy Statement: Word [113] | Acrobat [114]
Jaber (Florida PSC) Statement: Word [115] | Acrobat [116]
Dunleavy (NY State PSC) Statement: Word [117] | Acrobat [118]
Gregg (West Virginia PSC) Statement: Word [119] | Acrobat [120]
Martin Statement: Word [121] | Acrobat [122]
Joint Separate Statement of Adelstein, Thompson (Regulatory Commission of Alaska), and Rowe (Montana PSC): Word [123] | Acrobat [124] - 2/26/04
The Wireline Competition Bureau released a draft of the revised Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-A) for 2003 revenues. Word [125] | Acrobat [126]
Appendix A in Acrobat [127]
Instructions in Acrobat [128]
2003
- 7/31/03
: CC Dkt. 96-45. The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service held En Banc hearing on the Portability of the High-Cost Universal Service Support and the ETC designation process.
Panelist [129] |Joint Board [130] - 7/11/03
: DA 03-2294, CC Dkt. 96-45. The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service to hold En Banc hearing on the Portability of the High-Cost Universal Service Support and the ETC designation process.
Word [131] | Acrobat [132] - 4/2/03
: FCC 03J-2, CC Dkt. 96-45. The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service released a Recommended Decision proposing modifications to the Lifeline/Link-Up program.
Word [133] | Acrobat [134] - 2/13/03
: FCC 03-29, CC Dkt. 96-45. The Commission appoints the Honorable Jonathan S. Adelstein, to serve on a the Joint Board on Universal Service.
Word [135] | Acrobat [136] | Text [137]
2002
- 7/10/02
: FCC 02J-1, CC Dkt. 96-45. Joint Board issued its recommendation regarding the definition of services that should be supported by federal universal service.
Word [138] | Acrobat [139] | Text [140] - 6/21/02
: CC Dkt. 96-45. Transcript of Commission Public Meeting on Universal Service Contribution Methodology.
Part 1 [141] | Part 2 [142] | Part 3 [143] | Part 4 [144] | Part 5 [145] | Part 6 [146] - 3/28/02
: FCC 02-97, CC Docket No. 96-45. The Commission appointed the Honorable Billy Jack Gregg, West Virginia Consumer Advocate, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
Word [147] | Acrobat [148] | Text [149] - 2/15/02
: FCC 02-41, CC Docket No. 96-45. Commission released a Notice seeking comment on issues from the Ninth Report and Order remanded by the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. The Commission referred the record collected to the Joint Board for a recommended decision by August 15, 2002.
Word [150] | Acrobat [151] | Text [152]
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