STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MEREDITH A. BAKER
Re: Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, A National Broadband Plan for Our Future, GN 
Docket No. 09-51, High-Cost Universal Service Support, WC Docket No. 05-337
As I have said many times, I believe that it is critical that we move toward comprehensive reform 
of the Universal Service Fund, targeted to broadband investment. As a nation, we need to transition to a 
support mechanism that is effective, efficient, and sustainable for areas where market forces are not 
sufficient to drive broadband services to America’s consumers.  The Notice before us is an important first 
step down that road.  Universal service reform will be a challenging—and perhaps sometimes 
frustrating—endeavor.  I have expressed concerns about the ballooning size of the Fund and I am 
convinced that some hard choices will have to be made to keep it under control.  But I am convinced that 
we have a window of opportunity to finally make the changes that this program desperately needs.  I also 
strongly support seeking comment on the possible implications of using a cost model in a new support 
mechanism for broadband and I hope to see active participation from all sectors of industry and the 
public.  Building a strong record to be the foundation for reform is always important—but never more so 
than when we consider whether to adopt, and if so, how to structure a cost model.  I look forward to 
working with the Chairman and my fellow commissioners to tackle universal service reform, and I would 
like to thank the staff for their thoughtful work on this item.