The Congressional Rural Caucus this week held the first in a series of forums to delve into the challenges rural telcos face. Among those that spoke before the group, which is co-chaired by Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., and Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Fl., were representatives from several groups representing smaller carriers.

Speaking on behalf of The Coalition to Keep America Connected, Shirley Bloomfield, vice president of government affairs and association services for the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, said the group had developed several key points regarding Universal Service including expanding the base of contributors and ensuring that funds are based on actual costs.

“Universal Service has remained the cornerstone of our nation’s telecommunications policy for more than six decades, ensuring that we enjoy the benefits of a nationwide integrated communications network,” she said. “The nation’s economic and national security insists that this policy be preserved.”

Bloomfield also spoke out in support of a bill recently introduced by Rep. Lee Terry, R.-Neb. and Rick Boucher, D.-Va., that seeks to expand Universal Service to cover deployment of broadband.

Boucher said the bill’s goal is to encourage broadband deployment to areas where economics have prevented carriers from deploying in the past.

"Facilitating the deployment of broadband services in rural areas is a necessary and appropriate step for the Congress to take in ensuring that our nation stays at the forefront of technological innovation and development,” Boucher said.