Governor Dalrymple Weighs In With The FCC
It was really gratifying to see the letter that North Dakota Governor, Jack Dalrymple, sent to Chairman Genachowski at the FCC yesterday. In his letter, Governor Dalrymple stated his concerns with the recent FCC Order on the matter of broadband build out coupled with potential further reform of the Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation. He noted that many of his citizens in North Dakota rely on their communications services from rural telephone coops and small independent telephone companies who have worked hard to keep their rural communities connected and thriving in the digital age. He also told the Chairman that it “would be a disservice to those Americans who have chosen to live in rural areas if the results of the FCC order and further notice is to abandon the long standing principle of universal telecommunication service for all Americans.”
Governor Dalrymple also went on to express his concerns regarding future upgrades and investment in the infrastructure in North Dakota due to the regulatory uncertainty teed up in the order and really hit hard on the potentially dangerous impacts of the Further Notice that is sitting out there.
Governor Dalrymple certainly “gets it” and I commend his willingness to speak out in support of the rural citizens of his state…which in North Dakota, covers a great deal of ground!
