Coalition for Affordable Communications Urges FCC to 'Stop the Vote' Increasing Phone...

Coalition for Affordable Communications Urges FCC to 'Stop the Vote'
Increasing Phone Rates

New Advertisement Says There Should Only Be One Vote on Election Day - in the
Voting Booth, Not at the FCC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an advertisement published
today in key Washington, D.C. news publications, including Roll Call, The
Hill, Communications Daily, Congress AM Daily, Hotline Online and Politico,
the Coalition for Affordable Communications urged the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) to postpone its November 4, 2008, vote on intercarrier
compensation and universal service fund reform. The Coalition for Affordable
Communications said it is concerned that the FCC order could result in higher
phone rates for millions of consumers, cause job losses, and impede the
development of critical broadband infrastructure.

The ad notes "The FCC has chosen November 4th -- the same day as national
elections -- to vote on a drastic proposal that will negatively impact
telecommunications across the country. At a time when Americans are
struggling, this proposed order would lead to higher phone rates for millions
of consumers. It will hit our rural communities especially hard -- raising
costs, hurting jobs, and impeding critical broadband expansion -- at a time
when consumers can least afford it."

The ad concludes, "We urge the FCC to postpone its vote and allow a thorough
review of the 160-page order so that its full impacts can be determined. This
Election Day, the only vote affecting consumers should be held in the voting
booth, not at the FCC."

The Coalition for Affordable Communications is an association of rural phone
and broadband providers concerned with ensuring that American consumers and
businesses continue to enjoy affordable telephone and broadband service.
Please visit www.StoptheFCCvote.org for more information.
Contacts:

Kelly Sullivan / Jeremy Jacobs / Annabelle Rinehart
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449

SOURCE The Coalition for Affordable Communications

Kelly Sullivan, or Jeremy Jacobs, or Annabelle Rinehart, all of Joele Frank,
Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher, +1-212-355-4449, for The Coalition for Affordable
Communications