12 Days of Broadband
Universal Service Fund Survived, Faces New Legal and Political Challenges
A follow-on legal case about the USF resumed on Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the Fifth Circuit.
USF
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 expanded the Universal Service Fund to ensure that all Americans, especially those in rural or low income communities, have broadband access. The FCC administers the fund through four programs: High Cost Support Mechanism, Low Income Support Mechanism, Rural Health Care Support Mechanism, and Schools and Libraries Support Mechanism.
Tribal
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Expand Universal Service Fund Coverage in Indian Country
Bill would amend the Communications Act to formally include Tribal communities in universal service.
NTIA
NTIA Cracks Down on BEAD Proposals Built on ‘Hypothetical’ Funding
The agency will issue new guidance on how states should evaluate 'speculative' or uncommitted funding sources in BEAD.
Rural
FCC Chair Offers Few Specifics on Universal Service Reforms
NTCA’s Bloomfield worries Carr’s push for USF ‘efficiency’ could hurt rural providers
EPA
Record Shutdown Leaves Communications Agencies Strained Despite Senate Action
The shutdown slowed down broadband rollout, telecom licensing, merger activity.
Funding
Appeals Court Grants FCC Request to Pause USF Challenge
Fifth Circuit stay halts proceedings in Consumers’ Research v. FCC until government funding resumes
BEAD
NTIA: BEAD Winners Can Continue to Receive Opex Subsidies for Existing Networks
Prohibition on operational subsidies 'applies only to BEAD-funded projects and does not affect existing subsidies in non-BEAD areas to which a provider is already entitled.'
NTIA
Advocacy Group Opposed to BEAD Restrictions on Opex
The Community Broadband Action Network said some members were nervous about accepting BEAD awards.
USF
E-Rate False Claims Case Headed to Trial
The Supreme Court ruled in February the False Claims Act applied to the program, at least in part.
John Thune
Bipartisan Senate Aides Expect to Unveil USF Modernization Framework by 2026
Reform effort seeks fair contributions to the Universal Service Fund from modern internet providers.
USF
Experts Advocate for Action on Universal Service Fund Reform
'A legacy program that’s done great things for decades,' said one panelist.
BEAD
Fischer Wants More Fiber for Nebraska from Trump’s Commerce Department
The Republican Senator did not comment on BEAD non-deployment funding.
AI
Analyst: Amazon Web Services Outage Exposes Limits of Cloud Self-Regulation
Layton urged Big Tech to be held accountable and contribute to FCC programs.
Funding
Anchor Institutions Face Funding Crisis as Digital Divide Widens, Panel Says
The Broadband Breakfast Live Online event comes two weeks before AnchorNets in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 29-31.
Affordability
Advocates Push to Rebuild a Permanent Federal Broadband Subsidy
Calls mount for a modernized Universal Service Fund to address broadband affordability
Digital Inclusion
With Future Funding Blocked, Molaks Drop Legal Challenge to School Bus Wi-Fi
The FCC ended E-Rate funding for off-campus Wi-Fi last week.
