STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL
Re:  High-Cost Universal Service Support, Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, WC Docket 
No. 05-337, CC Docket No. 96-45.
I felt it critical when the Commission adopted the cap on competitive eligible telecommunications 
carrier (CETC) support in May 2008, to include an exception for all of the providers serving tribal lands 
across the country, and Alaska Native lands – some of the most under-served parts of America. This 
limited exception was designed to ensure that companies operating in these remote areas will continue to 
receive high-cost support to provide their services while we move toward a permanent reform of the 
Universal Service system.
My colleagues and I pledged last year to resolve questions regarding the implementation of this 
exception. I am pleased that with this order we have fulfilled our commitment. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues to resolve other questions and, more importantly, to continuing our work 
towards fundamental reform of the intercarrier compensation and Universal Service systems.