Benton Welcomes Circuit Court Decision that Underscores the Importance and the Validity of the Universal Service Fund

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit upheld the constitutionality of the Federal Communications Commission's administration of the Universal Service Fund (USF). The following statement may be attributed to Benton Senior Counselor Andrew Jay Schwartzman:

"The USF is a critical tool to provide, among other things, Lifeline internet and voice service to low-income Americans, and reduced-rate internet access to schools, libraries and healthcare providers. Today's opinion underscores the importance—and the validity—of the Congressionally-mandated USF program. In this decision, the 11th Circuit joins the Sixth Circuit and a panel of the Fifth Circuit in upholding FCC policy and practices. The new opinion should be of particular importance to the judges on the Fifth Circuit, who are considering whether to set aside the decision of a three-member panel of that court. The persuasive reasoning of the new opinion should help convince the Fifth Circuit court to leave that panel decision in place."

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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