The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
445 12
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Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
333 NORTH BROAQ STREET
ELIZABETH, NJ 07208
(I 19081629-0222
I'b r1 253 MARTIN LUTHER KING DRive
f\ JERSEY C'TY, NJ 07305
\.J (201) 369-0392
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DONALD M. PAYNE
10TH DISTRICT, NEW JERSEY
COMMITIEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SUBCOMMITTEE ON AfRICA. GLOBAL HEAlTH
AIIIO HUMAN RIGHTS
RANKING MEMBf:R
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TH( W[STERN HEMISPHERE
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
AND THE WORKFORCE
SU8COMMlnEE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD.
HEMEN1AAY AND SlCO"tOAAY EDUCATION
SUBCOMMlllEE ON WORKfORCE PROTECTIONS
April 4, 20 II
QCongre5'5' of tbe Wniteb~tate5'
1!)ouse of l\epresentatibes
Dasbington. il(IJ: 20515-3010
WASHINGTON OFFICE
2310 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-3010
12021225-3436
OISTRICT OFFICES
60 NELSON PLAce
14TH FLOOR
NewARK, NJ 07102
(973)645-3213
Dear Chairman Genachowski;
We are writing with regard to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) efforts to
reform the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Intercarrier Compensation regime.
This recently announced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to address these issues is a
step in the right direction, especially as you attempt to introduce reforms that result in less waste
and more accountability for ratepayer dollars, and we applaud your leadership in undertaking
necessary reform..
One area we would like to highlight is the continued need for access to consumer-driven services,
such as the range oftoll conferencing options. As you know, millions ofconsumers, small
businesses, educational institutions, and other non-profit organizations rcly on these services
daily.
We are confident there are solutionst~alwould provide a level playing field for all
telecommunications carriers and service providers in urban and rural areas, while eliminating the
incentives for abuse. While NPRM properly outlines the issues surrounding access simulation, we
urge the FCC to closely examine solutions that address pricing lntercarrier Compensation rates at
lower rates for higher call volumes so as to preserve such valuable consumer services and to
continue to encourage investment in underserved areas.
Again, thank you for your work on this important issue and we look forward to working with you
to resolve this issue in a way that protects all American consumers and businesses.
Sincerely,
{£~~';!:J'/~
.Member ofCongress
c; FCC Commissioners