CLEC To Capture USF

Find under-served communities and install POTS over broadband to provide both POTS and broadband. May be provided with wires/fiber/or licensed Wi-Max.

Rural telco serves 17 people, rakes in $300K

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201102
The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote Tuesday to begin work on a blueprint for transforming a subsidy program called the Universal Service Fund to pay for broadband. 
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201109
USDA Community Connect Grant program.
http://ruralcommunitybuilding.fb.org/2011/03/08/usda-community-connect-grants-2011
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/utp_commconnect.html
http://blogs.usda.gov/tag/community-connect
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If USF expands into broadband (instead of abolishing USF), there will be a surge of telecom activity to capture the funding.
October 06, 2011

U.S. regulators proposed overhauling an $8 billion phone subsidy program for landline service to help fund a nationwide expansion of high-speed Internet. ... In 2010, the program paid $4.3 billion to carriers doing business in high-cost areas ... 
Changes to so-called intercarrier connection fees “will result in significant consumer benefits,” Genachowski said. “Consumers can expect reduced costs, better value for their money, or both.”
A coalition of telephone companies led by AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. in July asked the FCC to reduce those fees, which can amount to as much as $8 billion annually. ...
The FCC’s push to overhaul the USF program may leave “mom and-pop” telephone providers behind ...
Small phone companies would likely stop offering service and be unable to afford the investment needed to become broadband providers. ...