A follow-on legal case about the USF resumed on Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the Fifth Circuit.

Bill would amend the Communications Act to formally include Tribal communities in universal service.

The agency will issue new guidance on how states should evaluate 'speculative' or uncommitted funding sources in BEAD.

NTCA’s Bloomfield worries Carr’s push for USF ‘efficiency’ could hurt rural providers

The shutdown slowed down broadband rollout, telecom licensing, merger activity.

Fifth Circuit stay halts proceedings in Consumers’ Research v. FCC until government funding resumes

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.'

The Community Broadband Action Network said some members were nervous about accepting BEAD awards.

The Supreme Court ruled in February the False Claims Act applied to the program, at least in part.

Reform effort seeks fair contributions to the Universal Service Fund from modern internet providers.

'A legacy program that’s done great things for decades,' said one panelist.

The Republican Senator did not comment on BEAD non-deployment funding.

Layton urged Big Tech to be held accountable and contribute to FCC programs.

The Broadband Breakfast Live Online event comes two weeks before AnchorNets in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 29-31.

Calls mount for a modernized Universal Service Fund to address broadband affordability

The FCC ended E-Rate funding for off-campus Wi-Fi last week.

Families with $100 monthly plans now face more than $330 in annual taxes.

The group raised arguments in Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch's dissent in the previous USF case.

Broadband access funding for schools must consider the cyber threats that accompany Internet connectivity.

The agency also voted to seek comment on local permitting rules it should consider preempting.

The agency affirmed that it expects 5G upgrades in some areas that lack any homes and businesses.

Lower income areas spend 2.43 percent of their income on broadband compared to 0.51 percent elsewhere, the report found.

Agency’s previous contingency projected retaining just 12 percent of staff

The extra fee appears on consumers’ phone bills to finance rural broadband, low-income, school and library connections.

The commissioner outlined her priorities for the agency at a Free State Foundation event Thursday.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in June that the $8 billion-per-year fund was constitutional.

Trade groups submitted comments Monday to lawmakers working on modernizing the fund.

WISPA said the smallest ISPs shouldn't have to contribute.

Some commenters said Lifeline benefits should be upped to $30 per month.

Policymakers revisiting the USF must recognize that affordable, reliable Internet access is essential for participation in the startup ecosystem.

The carriers say their legacy USF support has dwindled as the FCC phased out legacy programs in favor of competitive auctions.

Full committee denies FCC’s $26M budget raise request.

Witnesses pressure lawmakers to update funding model and prioritize affordability.

Joel Thayer and Roslyn Layton argue that Universal Service Fund reform will be the next major fight on Capitol Hill.

Group calls on FCC to cut fees despite Supreme Court ruling.

Would represent a 3.3 percentage point increase from Q3 2025.

The Supreme Court preserved the broadband subsidy last month.

The Universal Service Fund remains unstable and in need of structural change, panelists said.

The Canadian firm is set to acquire Ziply in a deal valued at $5 billion.

Bureau keeps voice-only subsidies alive for one more year

Turn down funding from FCC’s $200 million program.

The FBA president said he was optimistic states would ultimately be able to maximize fiber deployment.

Calls RWA allegations ‘baseless and unsupported.'

The Supreme Court's decision underscores that real reform must come through legislative, not judicial, channels.

Reactions to the Supreme Court's Friday ruling that the Universal Service Fund is Constitutional

The court said the contribution scheme and management were Constitutional.

What is the future of the Universal Service Fund subsidy program?

The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on whether the $9 billion-per-year Universal Service Fund is Constitutional.

USF contractors face aggressive audits, investigations, fines and prosecutions.

The fund's contribution factor will decrease slightly to 36 percent for the third quarter.

SCOTUS is preparing to rule within weeks on a Constitutional challenge to the fund's structure.

Without the broadband subsidy, families are facing harsh tradeoffs to stay connected.

Defenders of USF counter that the 1996 Telecom Act sets clear limits and that Universal Service Administrative Company's role is strictly ministerial.

Some areas that are relatively easier to serve have received multiple rounds of federal investment, while others perpetually remain left behind.

The commissioner and his new chief of staff called for slashing subsidies and downsizing staff.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., and a bipartisan group of Senators on Wednesday reintroduced Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act.

Democrats warn of growing White House influence over regulators.

The House also passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which the Senate passed in February.

Senate confirmation would give Republicans a 3–2 FCC majority.

The people were convicted of overcharging religious schools.

Public interest groups say the FCC should modernize, not dismantle, key programs.

Rural broadband providers urged federal officials to stay the course on prioritizing fiber in BEAD.

During nomination hearing, Trusty pledges to protect universal service while advancing next-gen connectivity.

Fiber deployment emerges as a common thread despite vastly different market conditions.

Justices are set to decide whether the $9 billion-per-year program is unconstitutional

The $9 billion-per-year fund is being challenged as unconstitutional nearly 30 years after its creation.

No BEAD final proposals have been posted since late 2024, but many are due over the next few months.

Telecom companies, public interest groups, and both the Biden and Trump administrations are united in the fight over the FCC’s Universal Service Fund.

More than 85,000 locations meant to be served by the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund remain without service.

The data could inform policy decisions where the FCC doesn't regulate poles, the group said.

The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether the fund is constitutional March 26.

New contribution factor will apply in the second quarter of 2025

The fund's constitutionality is being challenged at the Supreme Court, and lawmakers are looking for new revenue source besides voice.

'This is an opportunity for the FCC to strengthen the [Universal Service Fund],' Gomez said.

Congress needs to be ready for a ruling against USF, memo says.

The groups called on Congress to preserve USF’s funding structure ahead of Supreme Court ruling.

Democrats also sought to scrutinize FCC's recent investigations of broadcast television networks.

But the justices didn't rule on the question of whether all E-Rate funds are government cash.

The telecom giant will not offer fiber to many copper customers, potentially jeopardizing broadband access.

More than a dozen conservative legal groups filed briefs pushing to expand the nondelegation doctrine.

Panelists also discussed BEAD at Technology Policy Institute event

Bill would cap amount low-income households can pay for Internet.

States are exploring new approaches to maintain broadband affordability for low-income households.

The Supreme Court is set to decide whether the $8 billion-per-year fund is constitutional.

The Supreme Court is reviewing a ruling that found the $8 billion-per-year program's funding scheme unconstitutional.

Beyond legal battles, SHLB will push for swift broadband expansion and sustainable digital opportunity efforts

Other bipartisan measures related to broadband expansion, supply chain resilience, and emergency communications.

Incoming NTIA chief Arielle Roth would abolish fiber preference, low-cost mandates.

Executive session will include vote on Capito USF bill.

Supreme Court to rule later this year if USF's funding mechanism is unconstitutional.

Spalter wants Big Tech to support USF and seeks end to permitting delays.

Broadband experts McDowell, Olsen predict BEAD, USF reforms under Trump.

Competitive Enterprise Institute team calls for FCC auction authority renewal, USF funding overhaul, and NTIA bureaucratic reform.

In all, 29 lawmakers and eight former FCC commissioners signed the briefs.

The program will provide $200 million to strengthen cybersecurity systems for schools and libraries.

Group says the country needs to elevate affordability over availability

They said the underlying statute should survive even if SCOTUS expands the non-delegation doctrine.

The administration argued the law standing up the $8 billion fund didn't run afoul of the non-delegation doctrine.

Board members will provide leadership at a time of possible reform.

High last-mile deployment costs, permitting delays, and inflationary pressures continue to hamper rural broadband expansion.