Sixth Circuit

Policy Analyst: Expand USF to Include Edge Providers

Roslyn Layton calls for including digital services in USF funding to relieve burden on telecom consumers.

Jericho Casper

Oct 29, 2024 — 2 min read

Photo of Roslyn Layton, executive vice president of Strand Consult, by Klean Denmark.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2024 – With a federal court recently declaring the funding mechanism for a major low-income connectivity program unconstitutional, telecom policy experts are actively discussing alternative solutions to keep essential broadband programs funded.

On Monday, Roslyn Layton, executive vice president of Strand Consult, met with the Federal Communications Commission to propose expanding the $8.1 billion Universal Service Fund’s funding base in a way that avoids the financial burden falling on consumers.

Layton said contributions from industries that benefit from broadband networks – such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), and digital advertising – would establish a sustainable $15 billion annual fund to support both the USF and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

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Sixth Circuit USF Digital Inclusion Roslyn Layton Strand Consult FCC ACP INCOMPAS National Bureau of Economic Research Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Net Neutrality