PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 6, 2011 - Washington, D.C. -


Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo and her colleagues from American
Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands recently urged the Federal Communication Commission
(FCC) to adopt specific universal service support mechanisms for the
Insular Areas that recognize the unique economic, social, and
geographic challenges facing the U.S. territories.


In a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, Congresswoman Bordallo
and her colleagues emphasize the need for modifications to the newly
created Connect America Fund (CAF), a component of the FCC's Universal
Service Funding (USF).  USF was developed to assist rural and
economically disadvantaged areas in the U.S. receive affordable
telephone service, and the Delegates' letter was written on behalf of
broadband carriers in Guam.


Congresswoman Bordallo and her colleagues underscore that the
territories do not have commensurate telecommunication or broadband
service capabilities like those that are provided to residents in many
of the 50 states.  They stress the need for FCC support in order for
telecommunication companies in the territories to compete and enhance
voice and broadband services in these jurisdictions.  Specifically,
the Delegates urge the FCC to adopt the following changes to the newly
created CAF:


*         An alternative universal service reform approach for the
Insular Areas by exempting insular carriers from any phase-down of, or
caps on, current levels of high-cost support.


*         Avert implementation of a reverse auction mechanism for
broadband funding in the Insular Areas, or set aside funding
specifically for broadband funding in the Insular Areas.


*         Exempt Insular Areas from its prior decision to cap support
for competitive carriers at March 2008 levels.

*         Include a policy in their final regulations that would
prohibit any carrier who receives FCC funding from charging
international rates for calls to the Insular Areas from the mainland.

"Telecommunication companies in Guam and the Insular Areas continue to
face significant challenges in providing and expanding broadband
services in the territories," said Congresswoman Bordallo.  "As
Federal regulations governing broadband funding are developed, we urge
the FCC to adopt policies that address the unique circumstances facing
carriers in the territories.  I thank Congressman Eni Faleomavaega,
Congresswoman Donna Christensen, and Congressman Kilili Sablan for
joining me in this request.  I will continue to work with the FCC to
ensure that they implement policies beneficial to Guam's
telecommunication industry."