WASHINGTON, May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a first step towardcomprehensive reform of Universal Service, the Federal CommunicationsCommission yesterday adopted an interim cap on payments to competitiveeligible telecommunications carriers under the Universal Service Fund (USF).The following statement should be attributed to David Zesiger, Embarq's SeniorVice President for Regulatory Policy and External Affairs.
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'EMBARQ applauds the Federal Communications Commission's leadershipyesterday on Universal Service reform. By limiting support for multiplecarriers in rural areas, as the Federal-State Joint Board recommended, theCommission showed its commitment to the long-term health of the UniversalService Fund, a commitment vital to rural America. The Universal Service Fundsupports carriers in rural areas where it is costly to serve and oftenuneconomic to invest. The Commission's order caps support for multiplecarriers in the same area -- places where the market cannot justify even asingle carrier without USF support. By halting the fund's unsustainablegrowth, the order provides stability that enables comprehensive reform of theuniversal service system. Now, the Commission can focus on necessary changesto the USF program, including the need for geographically-targeted support. Weencourage the Commission to continue yesterday's positive first step byadopting geographic targeting as the foundation for comprehensive USF reformfor the benefit of rural America and all consumers.'
About EMBARQ
Embarq Corporation (NYSE: EQ), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas,offers a complete suite of communications services. The company hasapproximately 18,000 employees and operates in 18 states. EMBARQ is includedin the S&P 500 and is in the Fortune 500(R) list of America's largestcorporations. For consumers, EMBARQ offers an innovative portfolio of servicesthat includes reliable local and long distance home phone service, high-speedInternet, wireless, and satellite TV from DISH Network(R) -- all on onemonthly bill. For businesses, EMBARQ has a comprehensive range of flexible andintegrated services designed to help businesses of all sizes be moreproductive and communicate with their customers. This service portfolioincludes local voice and data services, long distance, Business Class HighSpeed Internet, wireless, satellite TV from DIRECTV(R), enhanced data networkservices, voice and data communication equipment and managed network services.For more information, visit embarq.com.
SOURCE Embarq Corporation
