The United States Congress is currently looking to reform Universal Service, which is vital to ensuring that rural America has access to comparable telecommunications services at comparable rates. Universal Service dollars ensure that all consumers receive telecommunications services and the latest technologies at affordable prices, no matter where they live. 

Elimination of support from Universal Service would result in dramatic increases in the prices consumers in Montana pay to receive telecommunications services. An average Montanan living in a rural area would pay an additional $329.97 each year to receive telecommunications services without Universal Service.

Recently, an organization was launched to protect rural telecommunications consumers and ensure that they have a voice in the debate on telecommunications policies. The Coalition to Keep America Connected is a broad-based organization of school teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, farmers, small business owners, grandmothers, communications and high-tech industry leaders, civic groups and organizations. The Coalition functions under the following guiding principles:

Fairness - Urban, suburban and rural consumers alike deserve to stay connected to their families, friends, and the world throguh communications technologies.

Affordability - Technology is only useful when it is affordable to consumers. Congress must ensure that all Americans can receive affordable communications technologies at comparable prices.

Access - Every American should have access to the latest, modern technologies, no matter where they live.

Mid-Rivers encourages you to sign on to the Coalition through their Web site at www.keepamericaconnected.org. You can also help ensure that your telecommunications services remain affordable by contacting your legislators to voice support for the Coalition's guiding principles. For more information, you can also contact Mid-Rivers at mrtc@midrivers.coop or 1-800-452-2288.