CopperCom will announce this week that it has donated $100,000 to the Coalition to Keep America Connected, a group dedicated to reforming universal service and inter-carrier compensation. The company will make the donation official at the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies winter meeting in Maui, Hawaii.

Though vendors often foot the bill for independent telco functions, it's rare for one to dig into its own pocket for a cause that could lead to divisions among industry players.

“It sets a precedent and shows support for our customers,” said Tim Colby, CopperCom's senior vice president of marketing and sales.

But CopperCom is in a fairly unique position. The vendor operates as a subsidiary of The Heico Cos., a multi-billion dollar organization. In addition, virtually all its customers are members a coalition partner association, meaning it likely won't offend carriers that might have different views on universal service or inter-carrier compensation.

Still, the donation ranks as one of the more unusual. The more difficult task will be finding other vendors to follow suit.