USF
Experts Advocate for Action on Universal Service Fund Reform
'A legacy program that’s done great things for decades,' said one panelist.
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.
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.
Affordability
Wireless Taxes Hit Record High as Service Prices Decline
Families with $100 monthly plans now face more than $330 in annual taxes.
USF
Consumers’ Research Files New USF Challenge
The group raised arguments in Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch's dissent in the previous USF case.
Expert Opinion
Nick Leiserson and Michael Klein: Urgent Changes Needed to Update the E-Rate Program
Broadband access funding for schools must consider the cyber threats that accompany Internet connectivity.
FCC
FCC Stops E-Rate Funding for Off-Campus Wi-Fi
The agency also voted to seek comment on local permitting rules it should consider preempting.
Alaska
FCC Tweaks Alaska Connect Fund
The agency affirmed that it expects 5G upgrades in some areas that lack any homes and businesses.
Broadband Mapping and Data
New York Fed Finds Low-income Neighborhoods Pay Higher Share of Income for Worse Broadband
Lower income areas spend 2.43 percent of their income on broadband compared to 0.51 percent elsewhere, the report found.
FCC
FCC Prepares for Mass Furloughs Amid Looming Government Shutdown
Agency’s previous contingency projected retaining just 12 percent of staff
USF
TechFreedom Urges Congress to Scrap Universal Service Surcharge
The extra fee appears on consumers’ phone bills to finance rural broadband, low-income, school and library connections.
FCC
Trusty: ‘Greater Transparency and Accountability’ Needed in FCC Funding Programs
The commissioner outlined her priorities for the agency at a Free State Foundation event Thursday.
USF
Consumers’ Research Drops USF Challenge, But Battle Likely Not Over
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in June that the $8 billion-per-year fund was constitutional.
