| :: Recent News :: :: May 2nd, 2008 :: WTA in the News: FCC Rules in Favor of Interim CETC Cap :: View File :: :: May 2nd, 2008 :: Coalition to Keep America Connected Commends Adoption of USF Interim Cap :: View File :: :: May 1st, 2008 :: WTA Applauds FCC for Implementing Interim Cap on CETCs to Stem Growth in USF :: View File :: :: April 21st, 2008 :: WTA MOURNS THE LOSS OF JACK H. RHYNER The Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jack H Rhyner over the past weekend after a valiant effort to defeat cancer. Jack was the founder, chairman and CEO of TelAlaska, Inc. which is based out of Anchorage, Alaska. He was also one of the original participants on the Rural Task Force. As a member of WTA, Jack served as the chairman of the WTA's Public Policy Committee since its inception. In August of 2007, Jack received the President's Award for his tireless dedication to the association and the rural industry. "Jack was truly a giant and well respected voice within the telecom industry. His knowledge, political acumen, and friendship will certainly be missed," said Kelly Worthington, WTA's Executive Vice President. "WTA sends its heartfelt condolences to the Rhyner family during this very difficult time," said Worthington. :: April 17th, 2008 :: WTA files comments in FCC's Proceedings on reverse auctions, eliminating the Identical Support Rule, and the Joint Board's Recommendation on Long-Term USF Reform. :: View File :: :: April 16th, 2008 :: WTA is proud to be sponsoring the Bob Adkisson Scholarship Program. :: View this year's recipients :: :: March 24th, 2008 :: WTA and OPASTCO File Joint Comments on Number Portability :: View File :: :: March 14th, 2008 :: WTA Joins Reply Comments in Response to Feature Group IP's Forbearance Petition and Embarq's Limited Forbearance Petition Request. :: View File :: :: February 27th, 2008 :: WTA in the News - Municipal Broadband :: Read More :: :: February 26th, 2008 :: WTA in the News. :: Read More :: :: February 21st, 2008 :: Telcos, Regulators Raise Concerns About Hawaiian Telcom Waiver :: Read More :: :: February 20th, 2008 :: In the matter of Hawaiian Telcom, Inc. (WC Docket No. 08-4) :: View File :: :: February 19th, 2008 :: WTA files joint comments opposing Feature Group IP's Forbearance Petition :: Read More :: :: February 15th, 2008 :: Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime :: Read More :: :: February 1st, 2008 :: Coalition to Keep America Connected Champions USF Reform Based on Facts, Not Rhetoric :: Read More :: :: January 4th, 2008 :: WTA joins OPASTCO, ITTA and RICA in submitting comments to the FCC on video access and program tying arrangements. :: Read More :: :: December 19th, 2007 :: The Universal Service Fund (USF) has been instrumental in connecting Americans across th ecountry, and particularly those in rural areas, to the communications network on which both urban and rural consumers relay... :: Read More :: :: December 17th, 2007 :: WTA Comments on the FCC's NPRM on Traffic Pumping :: View File :: :: November 23rd, 2007 :: In the matter of Federal Communications Commission Public Information Collection Requirement Submitted to OMB for Emergency Review and Approval (OMB Control No. 3060-0715) Telecommunications Carriers' Use of Customer Proprietary Network Information and Other Customer Information (CC Docket No. 96-115) :: View File :: :: November 21st, 2007 :: WTA responds to Federal-State Joint Board Recommended Decision on Long-Term USF Reform :: View File :: :: October 2nd, 2007 :: WTA Sends Letter to House Telecom Subcommittee Regarding Municipal Broadband :: View File :: :: October 2nd, 2007 :: Coalition to Keep America Connected Holds National Policy Conference on USF Report :: View Here :: (Press Release and Webcast) :: September 10th, 2007 :: In the matter of Implementation of Section 304 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996; Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices; Compatibility Between Cable Systems and Consumer Electronics Equipment. :: View File :: :: September 7th, 2007 :: WTA APPLAUDS FEDERAL-STATE JOINT BOARD STATEMENT ON LONG-TERM USF REFORM :: View File :: :: September 7th, 2007 :: COALITION TO KEEP AMERICA CONNECTED REACTS TO JOINT BOARD STATEMENT ON USF REFORM. :: View File :: :: September 4th, 2007 ::  Western Telecommunications Alliance Elects New Officers and Board of Directors HELENA, MONTANA ’Äì The Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) today announced the election of its new officers for the coming two years: David R. Arvig, COO and Vice President of Arvig Communication Systems in Perham, Minnesota as President; Bruce Todd, CEO of UBTA-UBET Communications in Roosevelt, Utah as Vice President; Denise Russell of Northern Arkansas Telephone Co., Chattaroy, Washington as Secretary-Treasurer; and Robin Stephens, CEO of Range Telephone Cooperative in Forsyth, Montana as Past President. Additionally, David Baker, Sierra Telephone Company, Oakhurst, California; Dave Goggins, TelAlaska, Anchorage, Alaska; and Al Pedersen, Sandwich Isles Communications, Honolulu, Hawaii, were elected to serve on the Executive Committee. ’ÄúI am humbled by the fact that the WTA Board of Directors is entrusting me to lead the association over the next couple of years. This is a crucial time for rural telco’Äôs and their customers. A lot is at stake and we need to work together to assure that all our customers have fair access to advanced telecommunications services at affordable rates. I look forward to working as hard as possible to represent the interests of the WTA members,’Äù said Arvig. The WTA membership elected the following members who will serve three year terms on the Board of Directors: Aloa Stevens, Frontier Communications (AZ); Al Pedersen, Sandwich Isles Communications (HI); Emory Graffis, Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NE); Glenn Ramsey, The Toledo Telephone Company (WA); Ted Koerner, CoBank (Associate Member); and George Clark, TCA (Associate Member). :: September 4th, 2007 :: WTA AWARDS PRESIDENT’ÄôS AWARD TO JACK H RHYNER HELENA, MONTANA ’Äì The Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) today announced that Jack H Rhyner of TelAlaska, Anchorage, Alaska was awarded the President’Äôs Award. Mr. Rhyner was selected to receive the award on August 20, 2007, by the association’Äôs President Rob Stephens. :: View File :: :: September 4th, 2007 :: AS CONGRESS RETURNS, CALLS CONTINUE FOR URGENT FCC ACTION TO TEMPORARILY CAP CETCs. Congressman Rogers (MI) Joins Growing Bipartisan Effort to Protect Consumers, Financial Integrity of the Universal Service Fund :: View File :: :: August 8th, 2007 :: In matter of Federal-State Board on Universal Service: Petition of TDS Telecommunications Corp., Fairpoint Communications, Inc., and Burke’Äôs Garden Telephone Company for Revocation of Sprint Nextel’Äôs ETC Designation in Virginia, or, in the Alternative, Motion to Show Cause. (CC Docket No. 96-45) :: View File :: :: July 27th, 2007 :: In Request of Centennial Communications Corp. For review of decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company, or For Waiver of the Interstate Common Line Support "True-Up" Rules. :: View File :: :: July 23rd, 2007 :: Petition of Core Communications, Inc. for Forbearance Under 47 U.S.C. Section 160(c) from Rate Regulation Pursuant to Section 251(g) and for Forbearance from the Rate Averaging and Integration Regulation Pursuant to Section 254(g), WC Docket No. 06-100; Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime, CC Docket No. 01-92. :: View File :: :: July 10th, 2007 :: Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantees RE: Docket No. RUS-06-Agency-0052. :: View File :: :: July 9th, 2007 :: In re Petition of Alenco Communications, Inc., Big Bend Telephone Cooperative, Inc., Dell Telephone Company, Riviera Telephone Cmpany, Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc., Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative, Inc., Texas Telephone Association. :: View File :: :: June 21st, 2007 :: Reply comments supporting interim cap on portable CETC suport. :: View File :: :: June 14th, 2007 :: New studies strongly support joint board recommendation to CAP USF payments to CETCs :: View File :: :: June 6th, 2007 :: In the matter of High Cost Universal Service Support Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (WC Docket No.¬Ý05-337) (CC Docket No.¬Ý96-45) :: View File :: :: May 31st, 2007 :: In the matter of High Cost Universal Service Support Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (WC Docket No.¬Ý05-337) (CC Docket No.¬Ý96-45) :: View File :: :: May 31st, 2007 :: In the matter of Interior Telephone Company (WC Docket No.¬Ý07-102) Petition for Declaratory Ruling clarifying Scope and Requirements of Section 51.715 of the commission's Rules :: View File :: :: May 18th, 2007 :: Member of Congress: Lee Terry's comments to Commissioner Tate. :: View File :: :: May 18th, 2007 :: Wireless Carriers Oppose USF Reform, Threaten Future Viability of Initiative Crucial to Consumers and U.S. Economic Competitiveness Wireless Attacks on Federal-State Joint Board Recommendations ’ÄòDisappointing’Äô :: View File :: :: May 18th, 2007 :: Urgent Fact Check. An Analysis of Wireless Industry’Äôs Attacks on Federal-State Joint Board Recommendation :: View File :: :: May 11th, 2007 :: In the matter of Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2007 (MD Docket No.¬Ý07-81) :: View File :: :: May 10th, 2007 :: WTA Meets with Commission Staff on USF Issue :: File 1 | File 2 | File 3 | File 4 :: (PDF Documents) :: May 2nd, 2007 :: WTA Responds to Recommendations of Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service :: View File :: :: April 25th, 2007 :: The Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) vigorously supports the proposal submitted by AT&T on March 22, 2007, in the referenced proceedings for interim stabilization of high-cost support mechanisms. (RE: WC Docket No. 05-337 CC Docket No. 96-45) :: Read More :: :: March 28th, 2007 :: In the matter of Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime, Missoula Intercarrier Compensation Reform Plan (Docket No. 01-92) :: View File :: :: March 20th, 2007 :: Wireless Sector Inflates USF Growth Wireline growth steady or decreased in recent years Arlington, Va. (March 16, 2007) ’Äì The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced yesterday it is increasing the Universal Service Fund contribution rate from 9% to 11.7%.¬ÝOne reason for this significant increase is due to the growth in the number of wireless carriers receiving funds from the USF. Read more. :: View File :: :: March 1st, 2007 :: Coalition to Keep America Connected applauds FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin's position on competitive eligible telecommunications carriers. Read more. :: View File :: :: February 20th, 2007 :: In the matter of Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Docket No. 96-45) Petition of Cingular Wireless, LLC for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of Georgia :: View File :: :: December 13th, 2006 :: Eric Keber joins WTA staff as Federal Government Affairs Manager... read more. :: View File :: :: December 11th, 2006 :: In the matter of Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service: Petition of Cingular Wireless, LLC for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the Commonwealth of Virginia (CC Docket No. 96-45) :: View File ::  Coalition to Keep America ConnectedUniting in an effort to provide policymakers and the public with comprehensive information about the vital role community-based telecom providers play in keeping rural America connected to the world, NTCA and three other rural telecom organizations announced today the formation of the Coalition to Keep America Connected. The purpose of the coalition is to ensure that all communities and consumers are given equitable access to affordable emerging telecommunications services and the latest technologies-no matter where they live. >> Read More << Effectively immediately, the Coalition to Keep America Connected will be transitioning to a new format for ENEWS. Instead of bi-weekly updates, we’Äôll now provide you with live updates on USF news, Congressional hearings & legislation, FCC actions, and Coalition activities as they happen. This is designed to keep you better informed by giving you information quickly and efficiently, in real time. For example, we’Äôve attached a press release that the Coalition sent out last Thursday in response to some misleading information that came out of CTIA’Äôs Wireless trade show. From now on, you’Äôll receive that information as it happens. We’Äôll also be providing a quarterly newsletter that summarizes all the news - in case you miss something along the way. This is all part of a more aggressive approach the Coalition is taking to get our messages out. In the coming months, we’Äôll be developing and executing a number of exciting new, proactive communication strategies and tactics designed to educate and inform the media, Congress, and regulators, with the facts about Universal Service and pending reforms. And as always, we appreciate your continued support and we welcome your input for making the ENEWS even better. If you have suggestions or comments about ENEWS or Coalition activities, please send contact info@keepamericaconnected.org. Sincerely, The Coalition to Keep America Connected |
Western Telecommunications Alliance
| UPCOMING EVENTS WTA/OPASTCO Legislative & Regulatory Conference May 19-21, 2008 Renaissance M Street Hotel (Marriott) Washington, DC It doesn't have to hurt! 2008 Fall Annual Meeting September 7-11, 2008 Fairmont Olympic Hotel Seattle, Washington WTA Spring Meeting March 29 - April 2, 2009 Hyatt Regency Hill Country San Antonio, Texas WTA Fall Meeting September 27-30, 2009 Monterey Plaza Monterey, California |