NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: May 14, 2007 Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253 Email: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON RECOMMENDATION TO CAP HIGH-COST FUND Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission is seeking prompt comment on a recommendation by the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) that the Commission take immediate action to rein in the explosive growth in high-cost universal service support disbursements. Comments and replies on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) released today will be due 14 and 21 days after publication of the NPRM in the Federal Register. On May 1, 2007, the Joint Board recommended that the Commission immediately impose an interim, emergency cap on the amount of high-cost support that competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may receive for each state based on the average level of competitive ETC support distributed in that state in 2006. The Joint Board further recommended that the interim cap apply until one year from the date that the Joint Board makes its recommendation regarding comprehensive and fundamental high-cost universal service reform. High-cost support helps make phone service affordable for consumers in rural and other high-cost areas. ETCs are companies eligible to receive high-cost universal service support. Competitive ETCs are companies eligible to receive support in an area where another carrier already receives support. Action by the Commission, May 14, 2007, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 07- 88). Docket Nos.: 05-337, 96-45 Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact: Ted Burmeister at 202-418-7389, theodore.burmeister@fcc.gov. -FCC- News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.