Lt. Gov. Quinn Welcomes Continued Investment in Rural Infrastructure
CHICAGO, March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has granted U.S. Cellular (AMEX:USM) designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC). This enables the company to access an estimated $10 million annually from the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) to build and expand wireless infrastructure in the state's rural and underserved communities. U.S. Cellular is projected to construct up to 121 new cell sites within the next five years, based upon the continuing availability of USF support at forecasted levels. This expansion will provide new or improved service to an estimated 2.3 million residents in rural parts of the state.
"We are extremely pleased with this decision and thank the Illinois Commerce Commission for its thoughtful review of our application," said John E. Rooney, president & CEO of U.S. Cellular. "This designation will enable us to provide more rural Illinoisans with access to dependable wireless services -- the same services that urban folks now take for granted." "As Chairman of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, one of my primary concerns is the number of people in Illinois who lack adequate telecommunications services," said Lt. Governor Quinn. "Wireless telecommunications is no longer a luxury to be enjoyed only by our urban residents; it is a fundamental necessity for personal and public safety, tourism, economic growth and long-term infrastructure development. We are proud to welcome U.S. Cellular's continued investment in our rural communities." Despite the demonstrated benefit of expanded access to wireless service in rural communities that USF provides, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been considering a cap on the wireless portion of the fund for several months, even though overall wireless contributions to the USF have grown over the past year. The push for a cap has been met with significant opposition from public safety officials, rural citizens and key political leaders like Lt. Governor Quinn.
"Of course, we remain concerned about the proposed cap on universal service funding for wireless that's currently in front of the FCC," added Rooney. "It is clear that states are doing their part to access this desperately needed federal support, but if the cap goes through, the federal funds necessary to help us expand Illinois' rural networks could be significantly reduced or indefinitely delayed. It's up to the FCC, now, to do right by rural Americans and continue to provide USF support at sufficient levels so that we can bring the same benefits to Illinois that we have brought to every state where we have received USF support." In 1996, Congress created the Universal Service Fund to make modern telecommunications infrastructure available in the nation's rural areas. All telecommunications companies (including long distance companies, local telephone companies and wireless carriers) that provide interstate service contribute to the fund, typically through a line item charge on customers' phone bills. Before a provider can obtain support from the fund, it must first be certified as an ETC.
U.S. Cellular is the nation's sixth-largest wireless service carrier, providing wireless service to six million customers in 26 states. The Chicago-based company employs 8,000 associates and operates on a customer satisfaction strategy, meeting customer needs by providing a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, superior customer support, and a high-quality network. DATASOURCE: U.S. Cellular CONTACT: Jamie Plaxco, , or Shannon Quinn, , both Public Relations Counsel for U.S. Cellular, +1-312-565-3900, Mobile, +1-773-263-2154, or Kellie Szabo, Media Relations of U.S. Cellular, +1-773-355-3307, Mobile, +1-773-216-5133,
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