Resolution supporting the FCC Consumer Advisory Committee

WHEREAS, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 authorized the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) to promote competition, secure lower prices and higher quality services for American telecommunications consumers to ensure all Americans (including persons with disabilities and underserved populations, such as Native Americans and persons living in rural areas) have equal access to telecommunications products and services; and

WHEREAS, the Commission, pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, rechartered the Consumer Advisory Committee (“Committee”) (formerly known as the Consumer/Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee) to facilitate consumer involvement and participation in all proceedings before the Commission; and

WHEREAS, the Committee will make recommendations regarding consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission including, but not limited to:

Affordability and Availability of Products and Services;
Consumer Protection and Education;
Access to Telecommunications by People with Disabilities;
Impact of New and Emerging Technologies; and
Implementation of Commission Rules and Consumer Participation in the
FCC
Rulemaking Process; and

WHEREAS, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (“NASUCA”) supports the development of a collaborative partnership between federal and state legislators and consumer interest organizations to develop and adopt policies that ensure consumers have access to just and reasonably-priced products and services; facilitate the ubiquitous deployment of high quality advanced telecommunications services; and ensure the joint development and implementation of consumer-friendly legislation.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that NASUCA supports initiatives that foster a balanced national public awareness and full debate of telecommunications issues and consumer participation in proceedings before the Commission.

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NASUCA Executive Committee, the NASUCA Consumer Protection Committee and the NASUCA Telecommunications Committee are authorized to take all steps consistent with this Resolution and other NASUCA resolutions to participate in the work of the Committee.

Approved by NASUCA:
Submitted by: June 2003, Portland, OR NASUCA Telecommunications Commitee