WASHINGTON, June 24 (Reuters) - AT&T ( T ) CEO John

Stankey said on Monday that Congress should give the Federal

Communications Commission the power to require Big Tech firms to

contribute to a government fund that subsidizes access to

telecom and broadband services.

Under current law, fees are assessed on wireless and

landline telephone service subscribers to support the Universal

Service Fund.

"The seven largest and most profitable companies in the

world built their franchises on the internet and the

infrastructure we provide," Stankey said in remarks at a telecom

industry forum in Utah.

"Why shouldn't they participate in ensuring affordable and

equitable access to the services of today that are just as

indispensable as the phone lines of yesteryear."