From the Missoulian: "Subsidies for rural telephone service in Montana and the country need revision, so they can fund services like high-speed Internet and remain financially sound, telephone officials say.
"And Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., introduced a bill this week to accomplish those goals, revising the so-called 'universal service' program."
Information on the "Internet and Universal Service Act of 2006" (S. 2256) is available through THOMAS. The statement Senator Burns made upon introducing the bill is available on his website and through the Congressional Record (beginning on page s866).
The proposed bill is an update of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Communications Act of 1934. Several federal agencies work on expanding telecommunications access. For instance, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has an interesting page on Telecommunications Service in Rural America. The Department of Agriculture also provides information on the Rural Development Telecommunications Program.
Source: "Burns urges help for rural telephones." Missoulian February 11, 2006. B1.
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