Rural Broadband: Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving the Vision
McLean & Brown
September, 2009

You can find a PDF copy of the paper in its entirety here.

McLean and Brown examine the complexities and hurdles that must be faced to pursue broadband expansion to all Americans.  The argument is made that to be successful, reforms must be made to the Universal Service Fund, Intercarrier Compensation, and there must exist Targeted Broadband Funding.

McLean & Brown argue for the following reforms:

Universal Service Fund:

• USF collection mechanism adjusted to be sustainable in broadband world.
• USF support broadband infrastructure.
• Modification to existing USF programs.
• Targeted, cost-based support should be extended to one wire-line and no more than one wireless network in a rural area.

Intercarrier Compensation:

• All carriers that use PSTN must pay access charges.
• Interstate access charges must be immediately reduced.
• BIP, BTOP programs must continue.

Additionally:

• “Remote” must be redefined.
• Loans do not change a bad business case into a good business case.
• Metric that measures unserved populations must be redefined.
• Funding mechanisms must be more in line with National Broadband Policy Goals.

You can find a PDF copy of the paper in its entirety here.