Funding
Free Market Think Tank Sees Legal Problem with State Affordability Laws
Free State Foundation’s Seth Cooper says California and Massachusetts bills could violate the Fifth Amendment
Broadband's Impact
Mississippi Online Age Verification Law Sent Back to Lower Court for Review
Fifth Circuit orders deeper review of the law’s First Amendment impact.
Big Tech
Public Knowledge Pushes for Digital Platform Regulator
Proposal weighs feasibility of creating an independent commission, executive agency, or standards body.
Funding
USF Funding Exceeded $8.5 Billion in 2024
USAC says spending increased by more than $400 million over 2023
Cox Communications
California’s $15 Broadband Proposal Could Save Households $1B Annually, State Report Finds
New report finds affordability mandate would cut less than 1% from top ISPs’ revenues.
USF
USF Proponents ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ After Supreme Court Arguments
Justices are set to decide whether the $9 billion-per-year program is unconstitutional
USF
Supreme Court Appears Reluctant to Rule Against USF
The $9 billion-per-year fund is being challenged as unconstitutional nearly 30 years after its creation.
FTC
FTC’s Ferguson Says Tech Censorship Practices May Violate Antitrust Law
Chairman signals agency’s expanding role in countering Big Tech censorship
Digital Inclusion
California Democrat Releases $15 Internet Affordability Bill
New text lays out speed, eligibility, and reporting rules under the proposed California Affordable Home Internet Act.
Benton
Lawyers Backing FCC Cautiously Optimistic Ahead of Supreme Court USF Case Showdown
Telecom companies, public interest groups, and both the Biden and Trump administrations are united in the fight over the FCC’s Universal Service Fund.
USF
USF Opponents Attacking ‘a Strawman’: Trump Administration
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether the fund is constitutional March 26.
USF
FCC to Increase Universal Service Contribution Factor to 36.6 Percent
New contribution factor will apply in the second quarter of 2025
USF
Still a Long Road for Universal Service Reform, Panelists Say
The fund's constitutionality is being challenged at the Supreme Court, and lawmakers are looking for new revenue source besides voice.
Benton
Sixth Circuit Denies Rehearing in Net Neutrality Challenge
Public interest groups face an uphill battle in challenging the Sixth Circuit’s ruling, especially without FCC support.
Chevron Doctrine
Oklahoma Bill Aims to End Chevron Deference in State Courts
Bill passed in the Oklahoma House on Monday
Digital Inclusion
Vermont Lawmaker Introduces Affordable Broadband Bill
‘With the N.Y. bill litigated, we just need to craft a bill more suited to Vermont,' Morrow said.
