A Discussion About the State of Universal Service

All people in the United States shall have access to rapid, efficient, nationwide communications service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges. This is Congress' original mandate for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a mandate known to many as "universal service." On May 11, the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Media and Broadband convened a hearing to discuss the current state of universal service as demand for connectivity in all aspects of American life continues to grow. The hearing examined the need for connectivity in rural and insular areas, for health professionals in providing telemedicine and telehealth, for low-income households that otherwise could not afford internet access, and for access to broadband in our nation’s schools and libraries.