2024 in review: RIP ACP and WTF USF

As we close out 2024, one question hanging over next year is what will come of federal broadband funding for high-cost and low-income programs? In addition to the predictable (and avoidable) demise of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)—which ran out of funding in June—2024 also saw the Universal Service Fund (USF) hit a major hurdle when the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled the fund unconstitutional in July, reversing its prior decision. For now, the USF is still operating, and the Supreme Court has agreed to review the Fifth Circuit Court's decision, following petitions from broadband industry groups and the FCC. The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on the case in June 2025.