Mattey Calls for USAC Reform in Filing with the FCC

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2026 – Carol Mattey, a former Deputy Chief at the Federal Communications Commission, is asking for a substanial overhaul of the Universal Service Administrative Company.

Mattey, now a consultant, filed comments with the FCC to provide recommendations to the USAC. She explained, “My primary aim is to identify a handful of rules that are clearly outdated or obsolete and discuss certain administrative functions that should be re-examined.”

She advised the company to simplify sources using an automated programming script regarding USF programs, with the FCC working with the USAC to improve consistency and timeliness of data. This would help information become more readily available to the public and provide a timelier publication, avoiding redundancy and making things more concise.

Mattey suggested an overhaul of the USAC Board, saying it is grossly out-of-date, and proposed a three-committee rule to simplify the board. An independent board was proposed, with members being selected because of their expertise on the subject to better represent the American public instead of industry stakeholders.

She proposed that billing and collection of USF contributions be moved in house. This would improve efficiency and allow companies to access the Universal Service Fund faster, she said.