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posted by janrinok on Saturday October 24 2015, @06:07PM   Printer-friendly
from the fine-them dept.

Internet service providers who accept government funding in exchange for providing Internet access in rural areas were "reminded" this week that they're not allowed to use the money for food, alcohol, entertainment, personal travel, and other expenses unrelated to providing Internet access.

The Federal Communications Commission issued a public notice with a "non-exhaustive list of expenditures" that cannot be reimbursed. The list includes all of the above as well as political contributions, charitable donations, scholarships, payment of penalties and fines, club membership fees, sponsorships of conferences and community events, gifts to employees, and personal expenses of employees and family members "including but not limited to personal expenses for housing, such as rent or mortgages."

The ban on using subsidies for food includes but is "not limited to meals to celebrate personal events, such as weddings, births, or retirements," the FCC said.

This money comes from the Universal Service Fund (USF), which is paid for by Americans through fees imposed on phone bills.

Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Michael O'Rielly wrote that while "the vast number of providers" would not take advantage of the system, "there are unfortunate examples to the contrary and spending on outrageous items has occurred."


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  • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Saturday October 24 2015, @06:37PM

    by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Saturday October 24 2015, @06:37PM (#254055) Journal

    First rule of capitalism: I takes the money, and it is MINE MINE MINE!

    There will be a court case going to the Supremes over this.

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 2) by davester666 on Saturday October 24 2015, @07:29PM

    by davester666 (155) on Saturday October 24 2015, @07:29PM (#254066)

    How can I make sure that twisted pair copper cable providing 128k DSL keeps working if I'm not happy? And I'm not happy unless there is a hooker sucking my dick while I'm doing a line of coke.

  • (Score: 2) by Snotnose on Sunday October 25 2015, @01:31AM

    by Snotnose (1623) on Sunday October 25 2015, @01:31AM (#254178)

    What's mine is mine. What's yours is negotiable.

    --
    Why shouldn't we judge a book by it's cover? It's got the author, title, and a summary of what the book's about.