The FCC plans to issue a Final Order on USF and access charge reform before the end of 2011.  Handled correctly, reforms of USF and access charges could be structured to actually carry out the original purposes of the National Broadband Plan – job creation and economic opportunity through the extension of broadband services to all Americans. Handled incorrectly and without regard for the impacts on the nation’s most rural areas, and the unique circumstances of the carriers serving these areas, the results could be devastating to our area and other rural parts of the country.

We continue to fight every day to tell our story in Washington and keep these reforms from falling into the second category. Though the politics driving the reform train at full speed ahead have not allowed time to properly study the true impacts of these reforms, Mid-Rivers estimates are that they would negatively impact the Cooperative’s bottom line by approximately $13 Million over the next eight years. They also fail to address proper support for sustainable wireless services in rural areas, and encourage the FCC to exclude support for the highest-cost rural customers (including many of you), relegating those customers to satellite Internet service. The reforms also eliminate any support for our “competitive” operations, which allowed Mid-Rivers to introduce quality voice and broadband services in communities like Fairview, Wibaux, Terry, and Sidney where the “incumbent” provider still doesn’t offer broadband today.

Please help by telling your communications story. Write to Congressman Rehberg, Senator Baucus, Senator Tester, and the FCC and tell them:
 

• Why you need affordable telephone and broadband services in Eastern Montana that are reasonably comparable in service and speed to those available in urban areas.
• Why satellite service is not an acceptable alternative and you should not be subjected to second-class service simply because of where you live. If satellite is not good enough in urban suburban areas, it should not be acceptable for rural areas.
• Why wireless services are important to you, your business, and your family’s safety, and why you can’t count on the large nationwide cellular companies for coverage.
• What your access to telecommunications services would be like without Mid-Rivers.

Watch for future updates on these important issues in the “411,” the Mid-Rivers website, our Facebook page, and local media. We will continue fighting reform proposals that would harm our customers, but your voice is essential to help tell our story in Washington and protect your communications future.