House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., lauded the approach to USF that FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler laid out in his Monday speech to NTCA (see 1509210029). "This is the right approach," Walden said in a statement Tuesday. "Precious Universal Service dollars should be targeted for communities where investment is lacking. Chairman Wheeler’s decision to move the Connect America Fund forward with a focus on unserved areas will help bring millions of Americans online, including many in Oregon. The Connect America Fund is a tremendous opportunity to lower the communications gap for rural Americans, and with responsible management, we can ensure that ratepayer dollars are spent efficiently in fulfilling the important mission of the USF.”

House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., lauded the approach to USF that FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler laid out in his Monday speech to NTCA (see 1509210029). "This is the right approach," Walden said in a statement Tuesday. "Precious Universal Service dollars should be targeted for communities where investment is lacking. Chairman Wheeler’s decision to move the Connect America Fund forward with a focus on unserved areas will help bring millions of Americans online, including many in Oregon. The Connect America Fund is a tremendous opportunity to lower the communications gap for rural Americans, and with responsible management, we can ensure that ratepayer dollars are spent efficiently in fulfilling the important mission of the USF.”

AT&T Services Vice President-Public Policy Joel Lubin retiring, effective Sept. 30 ... Copyright Alliance hires Keith Kupferschmid, leaving Software & Information Industry Association, as CEO, effective Oct. 1; Sandra Aistars, who had been CEO, hired by George Mason University School of Law as clinical professor and head-new Arts & Entertainment Advocacy Program ... Information Technology Industry Council hires John Miller, ex-Intel, as vice president-global cybersecurity policy and law ... CBS Entertainment Chairwoman Nina Tassler steps down at year's end and remains in advisory role through at least 2017; succeeding her is Glenn Geller, promoted to president, CBS Entertainment.

Copyright Alliance hires Keith Kupferschmid, leaving Software & Information Industry Association, as CEO, effective Oct. 1; Sandra Aistars, who had been CEO, hired by George Mason University School of Law as clinical professor and head-new Arts & Entertainment Advocacy Program ... Information Technology Industry Council hires John Miller, ex-Intel, as vice president-global cybersecurity policy and law ... Rob Tobias named HDMI Licensing president, replaced as MHL Consortium president by Gordon Hands, ex-Lattice Semiconductor ... Veritone hires John Markovich, technology executive, as chief financial officer, and James Williams, ex-Thotspots, as chief technology officer ... SigFox, IoT connectivity firm, hires Allen Proithis, ex-wot.io, as president, SigFox North America, new position.

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai is anxious about how little time remains this year to resolve the stand-alone broadband issue, he told us. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler committed to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., that the agency would find a way by the end of the year to provide USF support for telecom companies that offer only broadband service. Industry stakeholders, Wheeler and Pai have kicked around different ideas this year about how to best resolve the situation, with the solution still unclear.

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai is anxious about how little time remains this year to resolve the stand-alone broadband issue, he told us. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler committed to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., that the agency would find a way by the end of the year to provide USF support for telecom companies that offer only broadband service. Industry stakeholders, Wheeler and Pai have kicked around different ideas this year about how to best resolve the situation, with the solution still unclear.

Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai scheduled a rural broadband roundtable in Denver Saturday, said a spokeswoman for Gardner. They were scheduled to meet with rural telecom companies and local broadcasters and entrepreneurs “to discuss the importance of expanding broadband access, freeing up wireless spectrum, and what it means for Colorado businesses and its economy,” she said. Gardner and Pai published a joint op-ed in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel Friday. “Laws and regulations must not hold back innovation and modernization," Gardner and Pai said. "For example, the Universal Service Fund -- a program used to help companies provide telecommunications networks in all parts of the country -- has outdated requirements that prevent rural carriers from receiving subsidies for broadband service unless they also offer landline telephone service. At a time when many people are getting rid of their landlines, this rule makes little sense.” They argued that tech and broadband issues aren’t political or partisan. They also said more spectrum is needed and “the federal government must make good on commitments to free up more spectrum for commercial use.”

Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai scheduled a rural broadband roundtable in Denver Saturday, said a spokeswoman for Gardner. They were scheduled to meet with rural telecom companies and local broadcasters and entrepreneurs “to discuss the importance of expanding broadband access, freeing up wireless spectrum, and what it means for Colorado businesses and its economy,” she said. Gardner and Pai published a joint op-ed in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel Friday. “Laws and regulations must not hold back innovation and modernization," Gardner and Pai said. "For example, the Universal Service Fund -- a program used to help companies provide telecommunications networks in all parts of the country -- has outdated requirements that prevent rural carriers from receiving subsidies for broadband service unless they also offer landline telephone service. At a time when many people are getting rid of their landlines, this rule makes little sense.” They argued that tech and broadband issues aren’t political or partisan. They also said more spectrum is needed and “the federal government must make good on commitments to free up more spectrum for commercial use.”

LAS VEGAS -- The FCC should wrap up an order creating a dedicated USF mobility fund, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn urged, speaking Thursday at the Rural Wireless Association conference at the CTIA convention.

LAS VEGAS -- The FCC should wrap up an order creating a dedicated USF mobility fund, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn urged, speaking Thursday at the Rural Wireless Association conference at the CTIA convention.