THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS—Womble Bond Dickinson attorney Carri Bennet spoke on “USF Contribution Reform: Taking it to the Streets and Halls of Congress” at the Telergee Alliance CFO & Controllers Conference. The presentation took place May 11.

Bennet’s presentation addressed such questions as:

•    Who pays for Universal Service?
•    How is the amount contributed calculated?
•    How do companies contribute to Universal Service?
•    How do USF contributions benefit rural healthcare?
•    What are the roles of the Lifeline Program and E-Rate Program?
•    Why is USF reform critical?
•    How can USF reform benefit the build out of broadband and other badly needed national infrastructure projects?
•    Can a $.01 convenience fee be assessed on internet commercial transactions to cover the cost of President Trump’s $1 trillion infrastructure plan?
•    How many commercial transactions take place over the Internet annually in the U.S.?
•    Can the federal government assess a $0.01 convenience fee on an Internet commercial transaction or is it a prohibited tax under the Internet Freedom Tax Act?

Click here to read Bennet’s full presentation.

The Telergee Alliance CFO & Controllers Conference is the only business conference of its kind created specifically for leaders in the telecom industry; it is part of Moss Adams Telecommunications Seminars program.  Womble Bond Dickinson was a sponsor of the conference.

The Telergee Alliance is a national network of CPA firms who provide services to the telecommunications industry.

Carri Bennet has more than three decades of experience representing wireline, wireless and broadband communications providers, as well as commercial and noncommercial broadcasters, in regulatory compliance matters. She has a particular focus on advocating for small rural carriers, including serving as General Counsel to the Rural Wireless Association. Bennet represents telecom industry clients before the FCC, state regulatory agencies, the courts, and Congress.