Summary
Rural Issues Advisory Board Act of 2002 - Establishes within the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a Rural Issues Advisory Board to advise the FCC on the impact of its decisions on markets and customers in rural America. Authorizes the Board to: (1) make a rural impact analysis of any FCC rule, order, or other decision; and (2) develop advisory opinions, comments, and reports to advance Federal Government commitment to universal service and to improve access to advanced services and information services in rural America. Requires the Board to serve as a clearinghouse for complaints, criticisms, and suggestions concerning FCC and other Federal policies and activities affecting the receipt of telecommunications services in rural America.
Requires any rural impact analysis to be submitted to the FCC for review. Requires the initial analysis to describe the impact of a proposed rule on rural telephone companies and wireless carriers. Requires the FCC, when promulgating a final rule, to prepare a final rural impact analysis.
Provides for Board review of FCC rural impact analyses. Entitles any rural telephone company or wireless carrier adversely affected by final FCC rules to judicial review.
Requires the FCC to: (1) issue biennial reviews to Congress evaluating progress on measuring costs and other effects of FCC regulations on rural telephone companies and wireless carriers, as well as the capability of carriers to provide quality telecommunications services at affordable rates in rural America; and (2) report on the status of telecommunications in rural America, including universal and advanced services.
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