FCC Initiates Proceeding on Future of Universal Service

The Federal Communications Commission has initiated a proceeding seeking comment on issues related to the future of the Universal Service Fund in light of the broadband investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Infrastructure Act includes the largest ever federal investment in broadband, totaling approximately $65 billion. The FCC invites comment on the effect of the Infrastructure Act on existing USF programs and the ability of the Federal Communications Commission to reach its goals of universal deployment, affordability, adoption, availability, and equitable access to broadband throughout the United States. The FCC also seeks comment on recommended courses of action the FCC and Congress might take to further promote those goals so that everyone in the United States has a broadband connection that is so vitally necessary in our increasingly digital economy.

[WC Docket No. 21-476. Comment Date: January 18, 2022. Reply Comment Date: January 31, 2022.]