Set up a system where we can work together to achieve universal availability to all Americans at just, reasonable and affordable rates. It is the only cost effective and efficient way the goal can ever be achieved. While a USF in the form of a direct subsidy is in conflict with competition, competition to provide local access services may increase penetration by putting downward pressure on costs and rates or by changing the way companies recover the cost of access. The USF should be the exception rather than the rule. Competition should be the rule and not the exception.
Government have an outstandingly poor record of meeting the needs of low income groups.
The more voluntary a program is the more government can stay out of the process and let those who can, and will, get the fob done effectively and efficiently. We must make sure that any variation of the competitive models as neutral as possible. One way to accomplish this is to make it as small as possible. The Act clearly mandates only one new program. The old paradigm has gotten nowhere we are now.