FYI REVERSE AUCTIONS GET TEPID SUPPORT FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICE PANEL
Reverse auctions might rein in burgeoning universal service costs, but there are pitfalls, panelists warned Thurs. in a program sponsored by the D.C. Bar. Its an interesting idea but shouldnt be the sole solution, said Eric Einhorn, AT&T exec. dir.-federal regulatory. Done right, it could be a market-oriented way to downsize the universal service fund (USF) but the devil is always in the details, said Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Assn. Asst. Vp Paul Garnett. It would have to be implemented in a technologically- and competitively-neutral manner, he said. I dont think any one idea has come to policymakers [on the Hill] as the ultimate solution to USF costs, James Reid, aide to Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), said: Its very hard [and] compromises have to be made. Reid added that solid conclusions must be made the next few years about how much to give and get to have a sustainable program. Rockefeller is clear on one thing -- he defines universal service as a way to assure his constituents access to the same telecom services as people elsewhere at comparable costs. Theres no nuance to his view on that, Reid said. Marlon, if you want info on how reverse auctions have worked for USF in other countries (they've worked well), let me know. Mark Mark C. Del Bianco Law Office of Mark Del Bianco 3929 Washington St. Kensington, MD 20895 301-933-7216 Communications Law for the Digital Age **************************************************** This e-mail and any attachments thereto, is intended only for use by the named addressee(s) and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email, and any attachments thereto, is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please immediately notify me at (301) 933-7216 and permanently delete the original copy and any copy of any e-mail, and any printout thereof. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
