Opinion ID: 2530632
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Description Section

Text: The majority's interpretive analysis is misguided: it effectively circumvents the plain meaning of the CSA and CSG. In particular, when interpreting the CSG, the majority places an unnatural emphasis on a general statement of purpose in the introductory Description section instead of simply applying the specific UCC listed in the Rates and Charges section. The Description section provides as follows: The AT & T Universal Connectivity Charge is a monthly charge to Customers to recover amounts AT & T must pay into a federal program called the Universal Service Fund (USF). The USF helps provide affordable telecommunications services for low-income customers and customers in rural areas. It also provides discounts on Internet access for eligible schools, libraries and rural health care providers. AT & T will revise the Universal Connectivity Charge if the method and/or amount of its required contribution to the USF changes. Id. at 1665 (emphasis added). The majority follows the district court in interpreting the first sentence of this Description section as a promise by AT & T to recover no more than the amount of its USF contribution from its residential consumers. See Maj. Op. at 1206; see also Aplt.App. at 1607 (interpreting this sentence unambiguously [to] provide[] that AT & T could `recover amounts that AT & T must pay' into the USF program, and no more).