STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER JESSICA ROSENWORCEL
Re: Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for 
Local Exchange Carriers, WC Docket No. 07-135, Developing a Unified Intercarrier 
Compensation Regime, CC Docket No. 01-92, Universal Service Reform — Mobility Fund, WT 
Docket No. 10-208, ETC Annual Reports and Certifications, WC Docket No. 14-58. 
Universal service is a cherished principle in communications.  After all, it was back in 1934 when 
Congress first directed the Commission to make “communication by wire and radio” available “so far as 
possible, to all the people of the United States.” And it was Congress who expanded on this notion by 
adding new principles to guide universal service policy in 1996.  As a result, the duty to preserve and 
advance universal service is the law of the land.
Technology changes, but this basic legal principle does not.  So I appreciate the work of my 
predecessors here at the Commission who more than two years ago sought to update our universal service 
policies from top to bottom.  They refocused the fund from last century’s technology on the broadband 
and wireless challenges today.  They put it on a budget.  And they increased accountability throughout.  
This was not easy—and I applaud their efforts.
But as I have said before, I am concerned that when you add the piece parts of our reform 
together—and they are manifold—what we have is extremely complex.  I fear that this complexity can 
deny carriers dependent on this system the certainty they need to confidently invest in their network 
infrastructure.  So when opportunities arise to simplify our rules in a manner that is fiscally sound, good 
for rural consumers, and bound to inspire investment—we need to seize them.
In many ways, we do that today.  Over the last year, many rural carriers have argued that the 
uncertainty created by our regression model has hindered their ability to invest in their networks.  Today 
we answer their pleas because we have determined they were right.  So we eliminate it.  This is good.  In 
addition, we have made adjustments to allow those who relied on receiving safety net additive support 
under our prior rules and made significant network investments in 2010 and 2011 to receive that support.  
This is also good.  
At the same time, we adopt an extensive Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that delves into 
the details of how we will implement the Connect America Fund, the Mobility Fund, and the transition of 
rural carriers to a broadband support mechanism.  Back in 1996 Congress directed us to ensure that 
universal service evolves over time.  In many ways, that is what our rulemaking does today.  But I am 
sensitive that as we seek to evolve universal service policy we also can create more complexity and more 
uncertainty for broadband and wireless providers.  Building networks takes time—and is not easy in our 
least populated communities.  So as we move forward, I hope we can craft rules in a way that ultimately 
reduces complexity and uncertainty.  Because if we do this right, we will connect America by providing 
better broadband and wireless service in rural America.