America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan was developed by six companies—AT&T, CenturyLink, FairPoint, Frontier, Verizon and Windstream. These companies collectively serve the vast majority of U.S. telecommunications customers, including those residing in high-cost rural areas. Those high-cost rural areas are the primary focus of Universal Service Fund support.
America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan has also gained support from other companies and organizations across the broadband ecosystem:
Congressional Support
- Joint Statement from the New Mexico Congressional delegation urging the FCC to reform USF/ICC in a fiscally responsible manner.
- Joint statement from US Reps. Joe Barton and Marsha Blackburn urging the FCC to reform USF/ICC in a fiscally responsible manner.
- Joint statement from the House Republican Florida delegation urging the FCC to vote on USF/ICC reform in its October public meeting.
- Joint statement from US Reps. Fred Upton and Greg Walden urging the FCC to vote on USF/ICC reform at its October public meeting.
- Joint statement of support for America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan sent to the FCC from US Reps. Lee Terry and Mike Ross.
- US Rep. John Dingell’s Statement on America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan
- US Rep. Jo Ann Emmerson’s Statement on America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan
- US Rep. Doris Matsui’s Statement on America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan
- U.S. Reps Greg Walden and Lee Terry’s statement on “America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan”
- The Idaho Congressional Delegation’s Statement on America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan
- US Rep. Steve Scalise’s Statement on America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan
- The Wyoming Congressional delegation’s Statement on America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan
- Joint Statement of Support for America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan signed by Sens. Klobuchar, Landrieu, Hatch, Moran, Thune, Hoeven and Tester.
Industry Support
- American Consumer Institute Responds to Americas Broadband Connectivity Plan
- Anna-Maria Kovacs, Visiting Senior Policy Scholar at Georgetown University’s Center for Business and Public Policy – Statement of Support
- AT&T, CenturyLink, FairPoint, Frontier, Verizon, Windstream, NTCA, OPASTCO USTelecom and WTA’s joint letter to the FCC supporting Universal Service and Intercarrier Compensation reform.
- Tom Young, general manager of Kingdom Telephone Company in Central Missouri wrote an op-ed in the Columbia Daily Tribune explaining why he supports the ABC Plan.
- Consumer Awareness Project – Berlyn Highlights Consumer Benefits of ‘Connect America Fund’
- Randolph May of the Free State Foundation discussed how USF reform would help consumers in a Daily Caller op-ed.
- Free State Foundation – FSF’s Randolph May Calls USF Plan a Positive Step Forward
- Hispanic Techonology & Telecommunications Partnership: Leading Telecoms Provide a Way Forward Towards Universal Broadband
- Huffington Post: Proposed Broadband Fund Merits Serious Consideration by FCC
- The Indiana Exchange Carrier Association filed an updated letter with the FCC to express its support for America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan.
- The Indiana Telecommunications Association filed an updated letter the FCC to express its support for America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan
- Information Technology and Innovation Foundation – Statement in Support of “America’s Broadband Connectivity” Plan
- Internet Innovation Alliance – Read press release
- Maximum Entropy (Bret Swanson): Broadband Bridges to Rural America
- Minority Media & Telecom Council – Read press release
- Mobile Future – Read ress release
- Montana Independent Telecommunications Systems filed an updated letter with the FCC to express its support for America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan.
- The Montana Public Service Commission filed comments with the FCC saying it generally supports the “consensus framework” and the ABC and RLEC plans.
- The National Grange Announces Support for Universal Service Fund Reforms
- The National Grange submitted a letter of support for America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan to the FCC that briefly described how the plan will assist reforming the Universal Service Fund to support connecting more Americans to broadband; providing them with phone service, as well as VoIP and Internet access.
- The National Grange explains why it supports the ABC Plan in a blog
- The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada filed comments urged the FCC to adopt the ABC Plan and the RLEC Plan should both be accepted to complement each other as a balanced plan
- Taxpayers Protection Alliance blog post on Americas Broadband Connectivity Plan
- TechAmerica Commends Move to Reform Universal Service Fund
- The Tennessee Telecommunications Association filed an updated letter with the FCC to express support for America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan.
- USTelecom Association – Read press release
- The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin filed an updated letter with the FCC to express its support from America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan.
- The Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association filed an updated letter with the FCC to express its support for America’s Broadband Connectivity Plan.
Press Support
- Scott County Times, Mississippi: Changes by the government brings high-speed broadband Internet access for rural areas
