Federal Communications Commission FCC 07J-1 
CONCURRING STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER LISA POLAK EDGAR
In the Matter of High-Cost Universal Service Support, WC Docket No. 05-337; Federal-State Joint 
Board on Universal Service, CC Docket No. 96-45
 I support the Recommended Decision and the accompanying Public Notice.
 Rapid growth in the Universal Service High-Cost Fund is placing unprecedented financial pressure on 
consumers of telecommunications services and the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service today 
takes a necessary step to address that unplanned and exceptional growth.
 The cap detailed in today's Recommended Decision is an interim step, meant to create a pause in fund 
growth while a more equitable and comprehensive distribution mechanism can be crafted.  The current 
support mechanisms must be reformed to reduce excessive support to multiple providers and better target 
financial support as envisioned by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  Funding redundant providers is 
particularly troubling for consumers in net-contributor states, who shoulder the burden of undue growth in 
the high-cost fund.  Therefore, I share my colleagues urgency in addressing a comprehensive reform of 
the high-cost distribution mechanism that adheres to the goals of universal service.