Going Once, Going Twice...Wait, Let's Take Another Look at USF Auctions
by Jim Stegeman, Steve Parsons, Mike Wilson and Rob Frieden

Reverse auctions for Universal Service Funding (USF) (often called a subsidy auction in other parts of the world) can be, and have been, used to determine the level and distribution of USF in other countries. Reasonable parameters can be established for implementing a reverse auction to determine USF support amounts in the U.S. With appropriate safeguards, competitively-neutral reverse auctions have the potential to drive down the cost of universal service while achieving important public policy objectives. Here's a check-list for designing successful USF auctions: Click here to keep reading

Jim Stegeman is President of CostQuest Associates
Mike Wilson is Vice President of CQAmobile, CostQuest's affiliated mobile communications division
Dr. Steve Parsons is Professor of Economics and Telecommunications, and President of Parsons Applied Economics
Robert Frieden is Professor of Telecommunications and Law at Pennsylvania State University

Read Our White Paper on USF Auctions

Broadband Everywhere...Especially in Wyoming
by Mark Guttman

A recent broadband report commissioned by the Wyoming Telecommunications Council demonstrated that broadband providers are moving to deploy terrestrial broadband access statewide. Also, FCC filed data shows that between June 2002 and June 2005 Wyoming led the nation in growth in broadband access lines. During that time total high-speed lines grew by over 400%. As a part of Governor Freudenthal's ongoing efforts to remove barriers to economic growth, the Wyoming Telecommunications Council is working to fulfill the deployment of universal broadband internet access to Wyoming's citizens. Under the Council's policy directive that broadband services are essential to operating businesses, furthering education, and supporting healthcare systems, the Council commissioned CostQuest Associates to develop a Broadband Gap Report to identify gaps in access to broadband services and estimate costs for universal broadband deployment.

Mark Guttman is Vice President and Partner with CostQuest Associates

Read Our White Paper on Broadband in Wyoming

Finding Success...with a Map and Compass
by Jim Hines

Most adventurous folks who have spent any time in the outdoors can tell you about the importance of having a good compass (or for you more modern and well funded folks, a good GPS). As you head into the wilderness for your next mountaineering adventure, any credible list of things to take with you will include a compass ? and a decent map.

For a number of similar reasons we have for years been strong advocates of having a map (a business plan) and COMPASS? (our performance management system) to help you establish, evaluate and maintain an effective course for the business. With our COMPASS?, we provide a systematic way to measure, monitor and motivate the right economically rational financial outcomes. Click here to keep reading

Jim Hines is currently president of The Enterprise Group, LLC. The Enterprise Group is internationally known as experts who provide consulting services in the areas of cost and performance management, decision support, business planning and related marketing support (e.g., product management support, market program assessment and design).

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Wireless ETCs...Compliance is the Key to Continued Funding
by Mike Wilson

If you're a competitive ETC and currently receiving USF support, you already know that there's much more to the process than simply submitting a USAC form for line counts. With the FCC's rules for Competitive ETC's coming up on their second anniversary, it's becoming increasingly important for carriers to pay closer attention to the compliance details. Click here to keep reading

Contact Mike Wilson if you would like assistance with getting your company properly aligned to meet these and other CETC rules.

We're holding our 2nd Annual CETC Workshop in Seattle this April. We'll be addressing these and other Competitive USF issues at this event. Click here to find out more.