Others involve the difficult interplay of fact, judgement and ideology. I want to introduce to you today, Sonja Rifken. She is my eyes and ears on rural issues. Take her number down. Meanwhile, let me outline some of the principles that will guide us as we hammer out issues that affect Americans living in those communities of less than 10,000 people.
Rural carriers have higher switching costs.
They have higher loop-related costs. And they have less demand. Rural carriers may also be more vulnerable to competitors that skim the cream by taking away their large, multiline users. So, let me make something absolutely clear. The 1996 Act recognizes that it's our job to see that rural communities are not left behind on the Information Highway.