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Prepaid Phone Call Association Files Comments on USF(GlobeNewswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WASHINGTON, July 16, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American PrePaid Phonecall Association, APPPA, has completed its first major public filing with the FCC. The comments were in response to an FCC request for industry input on a proposed new set of rules for calculating and collecting the USF, Universal Service Fees, from prepaid phone call providers and their customers. USF was originally designed to provide subsidies to consumers in rural or underserved areas who might not be able to get access to telecommunications services. It has since been expanded to include financial support for a wider variety of services, including intercity Internet access. "One of the primary reasons that APPPA was formed was to protect the interests of our customers, the consumers of prepaid phone call services," said Brian Pla, CEO of Auris, an APPPA Founding Member. "Whatever the FCC does to restructure USF must put the interests of consumers first. Without them, there is no industry." Pla said that it is all too easy for the Commission and participants in the industry to worry about their concerns, but the consuming public must be the first consideration in any changes to be made. Auris and its sister company, CIMA, provide hosting services for companies who offer prepaid telephone services to a wide range of consumers. The FCC's request for comment included a long list of proposed changes and alternatives and asked for industry comment on the proposals. In its filing, APPPA urged the Commission to make consumer fairness a primary concern in the formulation of any solution to USF. APPPA also pointed out the challenge and cost that USF contributions represent to the service providers would likely end up in higher end user pricing. Finally, APPPA strongly rejected the FCC suggestion that international revenues be included in USF because this would unfairly burden the most vulnerable consumers with disproportionately higher levels of contribution. APPPA will work with the Commission on the formulation of a new USF policy and will actively advocate for the best interests of the prepaid phone call industry and its consumers. About APPPA The group of industry leaders represents the majority of the prepaid calling market in the U.S. and created an association to protect the industry's interests, good name and public trust by providing best practices, and to speak with one voice for the industry and its consumers. For information about APPPA, contact Gene Retske, Executive Director, at (202) 370-7600 or by email, [email protected]. You can visit APPPA on the Internet at http://apppa.us. The American PrePaid Phonecall Association logo is available at //www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12043 CONTACT: Gene Retske American PrePaid Phonecall Association (APPPA) Tel: (202) 370-7600 (ext. 100) Fax: (202) 370-7610 Email: [email protected] Source: American PrePaid Phonecall Association 2012 GlobeNewswire, Inc. |