High-Cost Universal Service Support, Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) defines "sufficient" under section 254(e) of the Communications Act as an affordable and sustainable amount of support that is adequate, but no greater than necessary, to achieve the goals of the universal service program. The Commission finds that rural rates are "reasonably comparable" to urban rates if they fall within a reasonable range of the national average urban rate. The Commission concludes, on the basis of undisputed empirical evidence in the record, that the current non-rural high-cost support mechanism comports with the requirements of section 254. The Commission also grants, with modifications, the joint petition filed by the Wyoming Public Service Commission and the Wyoming Office of Consumer Advocate for supplemental high-cost universal service support for rural residential customers of Qwest, Wyoming's non-rural incumbent local exchange carrier.