RadioDoc
Sortofadog
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
Chicago, IL | reply to NOCMan
Re: a data service, not a phone service
USF does not apply to the broadband connection.
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Toolmaster of La Grange. |
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murdok610
join:2004-09-05
West Chester, PA
| said by RadioDoc  :USF does not apply to the broadband connection. Yeah, but phone calls can be made via the broadband connection.
Does comcast have to pay this fee as well when they "bundle" their voip services? |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX
| reply to RadioDoc
They apply to DSL lines for the telephone side. Not many people can get a "DRY" loop.
The laws need to be adjusted to include cable and/or any voip provider who is providing service across a not traditional telephone line.
They also need to ensure the money is being spent to provide service to Rural areas rather than padding corporate profits. |
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RadioDoc
Sortofadog
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
Chicago, IL | Anyone in ATT land can get a 'dry loop'. The USF on POTS is irrelevant and certainly does not apply to this discussion.
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Toolmaster of La Grange. |
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sporkme
drop the crantini and move it, sister
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-01
Netcong, NJ
| reply to RadioDoc
said by RadioDoc :USF does not apply to the broadband connection. It's a line item on the bill. It's an item Covad and Verizon pass on to wholesale layer-2 customers. And it's around 11%. |
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stevephl
join:2000-11-27
Colorado Springs, CO | reply to NOCMan
Better yet eliminate the USF all together, not needed any longer, all subsidizes should be eliminated as well. |
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xsiddalx
join:2005-03-11
Chicago, IL
 ·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to RadioDoc
said by RadioDoc :USF does not apply to the broadband connection. It sure does.
The broadband connection is a common carrier service and is subject to the FCC universal service fund surcharge in that it is considered an interstate charge to an end user (sorta like a VAT tax).
After considering DSL a deregulated information service, or detariffed information service, depending on a telephone company's regulatory status...USF still applied, on a frozen percentage, if I recall correctly, or a percentage basis.
VOIP...Vonage, CallVantage, etc..was already declared under federal law to be subject to usf contribution rules (hasn't failed a suit yet).
Cable companies voice generally fall under voice/pots or voip, but not broadband, the former subject to USF....since broadband isn't assessable per se...unless it is considered "interstate revenue".
I can reference docs if needed (It will take awhile since I am lazy, but it's all available on the FCC web site). |
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xsiddalx
join:2005-03-11
Chicago, IL
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to murdok610
said by murdok610 :said by RadioDoc :USF does not apply to the broadband connection. Yeah, but phone calls can be made via the broadband connection. Does comcast have to pay this fee as well when they "bundle" their voip services? Sure.
Last I checked, there was a price stated if bundled...simpled enough. There are some default percentages the feds apply, but can be avoided with a traffic study if they they think it's too high.
Of course comcast ain't offering a nomadic service  |
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xsiddalx
join:2005-03-11
Chicago, IL
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to NOCMan
said by NOCMan :They apply to DSL lines for the telephone side. Not many people can get a "DRY" loop. The laws need to be adjusted to include cable and/or any voip provider who is providing service across a not traditional telephone line. They also need to ensure the money is being spent to provide service to Rural areas rather than padding corporate profits. AMEN.
The current fund certainly is about funding small telephone companies. Sort of doesn't make sense to subsidize a small (250,000 - random number) telephone company than the subsidy the feds caused by killing off the independent ISP industry (same rationale short of who built infrastructure first).
I'm not so sure the USF doesn't "pad corporate profits" even with the smallest companies..isn't profit profit? |
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RadioDoc
Sortofadog
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
Chicago, IL | reply to xsiddalx
Your bill must look different from mine then. No USF on either DSL account.
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Toolmaster of La Grange. |
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