Voice over IP, Universal Service, and Next-Generation Broadband: A Solutions Summit • June 14, 2004

CSU Sacramento Alumni Center
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA

This event was sponsored by:

• Broadband Institute of California
• California Association of Competitive Telecommunication Companies (CALTEL)
• California Community Technology Policy Group (CCTPG)
• CENIC's One Gigabit or Bust Initiative
• CSU Sacramento's Institute for the Study of Politics and Media
• Children's Partnership
• Latino Issues Forum
• SBC

Overview

Deploying ubiquitous next-generation broadband in California is critical, with a $376B GDP increase and 2 million jobs at stake.

At the same time, Voice over IP (VoIP) has become a hot discussion topic with many worried about the impact of arbitrage on Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) and the subsequent loss of revenue for Universal Service projects including:

• 911 Emergency Services
• High Cost Funds
• Universal Lifeline Telephone Service
• Relay Service and Communications Devices
• California Teleconnect Fund
• Federal Universal Service Fund

The goal of Universal Service, as mandated by the 1996 Telecommunications Act, is to promote the availability of quality services at just, reasonable, and affordable rates; increase access to advanced telecommunications services throughout the Nation; advance the availability of such services to all consumers, including those in low income, rural, insular, and high cost areas at rates that are reasonably comparable to those charged in urban areas.

This summit brings together key thought-leaders to develop strategies that balance two goals:

• deployment of ubiquitous next-broadband throughout California by 2010
• determination of key social needs that may drive new requirements, uses and forms of Universal Service revenue streams

Workshop attendees will discuss and develop forward-looking recommendations regarding Universal Service Programs currently funded by traditional POTS customers, with a view towards a future of ubiquitous next-generation broadband deployment statewide.

A white paper of recommendations will be released after the summit.

Agenda