Local consumer advocate to serve on FCC board

Simon ffitch, division chief of the Attorney General's Public Counsel Section, was appointed to serve as a consumer representative on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. ffitch -- who spells his last name with two lowercase f's -- was nominated for the position by the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates and the appointment was confirmed by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin on Friday.

The Universal Service Joint Board was established by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. It serves in an advisory capacity to the FCC. That includes providing financial support for telecommunications companies in high-cost areas to keep their rates affordable, expanding access for schools and libraries to advanced telecommunications technology, support for rural health care telecommunications technology and low-income rate assistance.