by John N. Rose, OPASTCO President

Is your state PUC questioning your company’s OPASTCO membership and whether or not it’s a legitimate expense on the state level?  Your membership dues and convention registration fees directly help consumers in your state.  Here’s how:  

The Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO) provides advocacy and education that directly benefits incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) on the federal, state and local level, as well as benefitting the rural communities and consumers they serve.

Universal Service

One of the specific purposes of the Federal Universal Service Fund is to keep local rates reasonable.  OPASTCO works with the FCC and Congress to promote rural-friendly policies that benefit rural ILECs in their respective states.  This work on behalf of our member ILECs helps keep local rates low for their consumers. 

The association also works with the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, the body of regulators responsible for making recommendations to the FCC concerning interstate and intrastate costs—both which directly affect member ILECs’ customers.

Broadband

OPASTCO successfully worked with Congress to make rural ILECs eligible for NTIA and RUS broadband funds.  These funds are directly invested in state-and local-level broadband deployment projects.

The association is also working closely with the FCC on rural broadband issues that should be included in the FCC’s February 2010 National Broadband Plan report to Congress.  A robust broadband network in rural areas promotes commerce, education and health care interests on the state and local levels.

OPASTCO works with Congress and the RUS to ensure enough funding for rural ILECs.

Intercarrier Compensation

OPASTCO is working on the federal level to move both interstate and intrastate intercarrier compensation costs to the Federal USF.  This benefit will lower intrastate access rates for rural consumers.

Education and Training

OPASTCO’s technical education sessions at OPASTCO conventions and symposiums provide rural ILECs with strategic technical know-how needed to help ILECs move toward an all-IP world, to reduce network and transport costs, and to increase broadband capacity, all which benefit rural consumers who need an affordable and robust broadband network

State public utility commissioners are frequent speakers at OPASTCO conventions.  These speaking opportunities provide insight into the priorities and thinking of PUCs and keep policy discussions focused on the local consumer.  OPASTCO provides speakers for NARUC meetings, state telecommunications meetings and various policy conferences.  OPASTCO also provides witnesses for testimony at the federal and state levels.