# Presentation: 281709

## Building Lines of Communication:The Role of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau in Rural Outreach    

_**Building Lines of Communication**_**:****The Role of the Consumer & Governmental ****Affairs Bureau in Rural Outreach****    **

**Kris Anne Monteith**
**Deputy Bureau Chief**
**Consumer & Governmental **
**Affairs Bureau**

## CGB Mission

Key CGB Initiatives Aimed at Rural America 

Conclusion

**Key CGB Initiatives Aimed at Rural America **
**	**
**Conclusion**

**OVERVIEW**

##          CGB Mission

***Educate Consumers******:***
- CGB works to educate and inform consumers about telecommunications goods and services, and to increase consumer awareness of the FCC’s rules, regulations and policies.
***Coordinate Consumer Telecommunications Policy Efforts******:***
**Internally,** through its Consumer Policy Division, CGB has primary responsibility for consumer policy and rules and works to ensure that consumer perspectives are considered in all other Commission policy-making activities.
**Externally, **through its Intergovernmental Affairs Group, CGB works with other governmental agencies -- federal, tribal, state and local – to ensure an understanding of the FCC’s rules, regulations and policies and coordinate policies in areas of overlapping jurisdiction.
***Resolve Consumer Inquiries and Complaints*****:**
- CGB, through the FCC’s national call center, provides informal mediation and resolution of individual informal consumer inquiries and complaints consistent with controlling laws and FCC regulations.

## CGB Rural Educational Initiatives 

***Consumer-Related Fact Sheets and Alerts***
- Get-Connected: Promoting Telephone Subscribership in Indian Country
- The FCC’s Universal Service Program for Low-Income Consumers
- The FCC’s Universal Service Program for Rural Health Care Providers
- Wireless 911 Calls
***Targeted Outreach***
- Rural Web Page
- Get Connected:  Afford a Phone
- Enhanced Lifeline/Link-Up
***Forums, Workshops and Advisory Councils***
- Consumer Forums
- Indian Telecommunications Initiatives
- Consumer Advisory Council

## CGB Policy EffortsAffecting Rural Interests 

***CGB Areas of Primary Responsibility:***
- Slamming
- Telephone Consumer Protection
- Truth-in-Billing
- Access for Individuals with Disabilities
***Coordination on Rulemakings and Orders Originated by Other Bureaus/Offices***
- Broadband – Cable Modem Services Proceeding, DSL NPRM, 706 Inquiry
- Wireless Services in Rural Areas Notice of Inquiry
- Wireless E911
***Intergovernmental Coordination***
- Government-to-Government Consultation with Federally Recognized Tribes
- Local and State Government Advisory Committee
- Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services
- Coordinate FCC Participation on Interagency Work Groups

## CGB Resolution of Rural-Related Inquiries and Complaints 

***Wireless Service Quality Issues***
- Facilitating Discussions Between NARUC and the Wireless Industry
***Wireless Build Out in Indian Country***
- Identifying Wireless Providers Licensed to Provide Services
***Consumer Complaints About Wireless Services***
- Billing
- Coverage
- Contract Terms

## CONCLUSION

**Ensuring that basic and advanced telecommunications services are available in rural America remains a critical focus of the FCC.**
**CGB is endeavoring to . . .**
*Develop rural outreach initiatives that promote access to basic telecommunications services and support the deployment of advanced telecommunications services to rural communities.*
*Establish beneficial relationships with governmental entities at all levels -  federal, state, local and tribal - to ensure that consumers residing in* *rural areas reap the benefits of our combined efforts.  *