FCC launches rural service initiatives

The FCC identified three regions this week–tribal lands, Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta–for what it is calling a “comprehensive 16-month effort” to improve consumer awareness of commission policies, rules and programs designed to improve access to telecommunications services. The commission also abolished its long-standing “Alaska Bush” policy, which it called “outdated,” in favor of open-entry, facilities-based competition. The Alaska Bush policy prohibited the installation or operation of more than one satellite earth station in any Alaska Bush community–small population, geographically isolated rural areas–for the carriage of interstate interexchange services. FCC Chairman Michael Powell said the initiatives would help the commission bring the “digital communications revolution” to rural America, which represents about 20% of the nation’s population and 83% of its land.

“The digital migration is for all Americans,” Powell said.