Telecom Industry Launches Coalition to Push Congress on USF Fix

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2025 – With millions of Americans at risk of losing access to affordable phone and internet service, a coalition of major telecom industry groups has launched a new effort to pressure Congress to act on the Universal Service Fund before it collapses.

The Keep America Connected Coalition, which includes NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, the Competitive Carriers Association, and GCI Communications Corp, has called on lawmakers to pass a legislative fix to preserve the USF’s funding structure ahead of a Supreme Court ruling expected this summer.

For nearly 30 years, the Universal Service Fund has helped bridge connectivity gaps where the market alone has failed. Established by the Federal Communications Commission in 1997, the fund helps deliver broadband and phone services at just, reasonable, and affordable rates to rural communities, low-income households, schools, libraries, and healthcare providers.