Congressman Zack Space's Opening Statement: Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet Hearing on "Universal Service Fund: Reforming the High Cost Fund

CONGRESSMAN ZACK SPACE'S OPENING STATEMENT Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet Hearing on "Universal Service Fund: Reforming the High Cost Fund"

Congressman Zack Space (OH-18) today provided the following testimony to the Telecom Subcommittee for a hearing on reforming the Universal Service Fund:

"The 18th district is serviced by - among others - some of this hearing's panelists: AT&T, Verizon, and Embarq.

"Many areas in my district are suffering from the challenges of poverty and unemployment. In Morgan County, for example, the unemployment rate is 16.3 percent. As we know, revitalizing the local economies of rural areas must include improvements to infrastructure. And, as our national economy has become more global in scale, places like Morgan County and other regions I represent have largely been left behind because they simply do not have the resources to remain competitive or to attract new business investments.

"That is why I was incredibly supportive of the broadband expansion funds our Committee worked hard on including in the Recovery Act. And, that is why I believe the Universal Service Fund should explicitly cover broadband services. Chairman Boucher and Congressman Terry's bill from last Congress would make this change; I cosponsored that legislation and thank them both for their hard work.

"Almost all Americans have access to and utilize voice telephone services. But, the reality is that many people lack access to broadband -- what I believe to be a basic infrastructure need.

"As we move forward, I support modernizing the Universal Service Fund so that carriers may use the funds for state of the art communications, including broadband. I believe we should also work to ensure universal service is targeted to bring coverage to those who truly need it. ".

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