Groups discuss findings in USF contribution report with FCC

Representatives from Ad Hoc Telecom Users Committee, INCOMPAS,  NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, Public Knowledge, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (“SHLB”) Coalition, and the Voice on the Net Coalition met with State members of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service to discuss the findings in the USForward Report. The Universal Service Fund is under significant duress because revenues subject to assessment have declined from $68.1 billion in 2004 to $29.1 billion in 2021, with no expectation that those trends will reverse; the contribution factor could reach 40% in just four years if action is not taken; and including broadband internet access service (“BIAS”) revenues in the contribution base would decrease the contribution factor to less than 4%. There e is growing support for the FCC to immediately reform the contribution methodology by including BIAS revenues.