CTIA-The Wireless Association(R) Joins ``USF by the Numbers Coalition''.WASHINGTON, D.C. -- CTIA-The Wireless Association(R) announced today that it has joined with other telecommunications industry participants to form the "USF USF University of South Florida USF Universal Service Fund (often part of phone bill in US) USF University of San Francisco USF University of Sioux Falls USF University of St. by the Numbers Coalition," a diverse group of members jointly supporting a numbers-based collection system for universal service which will benefit consumers, the telecom industry, and the country as a whole. The coalition supports a numbers-based plan as a more fair and equitable contribution methodology than the current revenue-based universal service contribution system, and believes the existing system is no longer sustainable in light of changes occurring in the marketplace. "A numbers-based approach to the Universal Service Fund is more efficient than the outdated revenue-based system, and the assessments are more stable, predictable and easier for consumers to understand," said Steve Largent, CTIA-The Wireless Association(R) President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. . "The wireless industry is committed to the goals of universal service and believes it plays an important role in making sure all Americans have access to high-quality and affordable telecommunications and information services See Information Systems. . However, the current revenues-based system needs major reform and this coalition urges policymakers to do what's in the best interest of consumers by acting quickly to adopt a numbers-based approach." CTIA (1) See CompTIA. (2) (Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, Washington, DC, www.ctia.org, www.wow-com.com) A membership organization founded in 1984 that is involved with regulatory and public affairs issues in the wireless industry. has advocated for a consumer focused numbers-based proposal, under which all switched connections would be assessed based on working telephone numbers and all non-switched connections would be assessed based on the capacity of the connection. The proposal includes safe harbors for low average revenue per unit customers and an exemption for low-income Lifeline customers. In particular, wireless family plan, prepaid, and month-to-month customer numbers would be assessed 1/2 the rate of other numbers. Lifeline customer numbers would be exempted from contribution obligations. CTIA-The Wireless Association(R) is joined in the "USF by the Numbers Coalition" by AT&T, BellSouth, IDT IDT Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA, USA) IDT I Don't Think IDT Identity Theft IDT Interrupt Descriptor Table IDT Integrated DNA Technologies IDT Inactive Duty Training IDT Instructional Design & Technology Corporation, GCI GCI Ground Circuit Interrupter GCI Getty Conservation Institute GCI Global Commerce Initiative GCI Green Cross International (non-profit international environmental organization) GCI Growth Competitiveness Index GCI Great Cities Institute , the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA NCTA National Cable & Telecommunications Association (fka National Cable Television Association) NCTA National Cable Television Association (now the National Cable & Telecommunications Association) ), USTelecom and Verizon. CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers. www.ctia.org |
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