With Stimulus Fight Complete, Advocates Shift Focus to Universal Service

Consumer advocates and some state regulators are supporting a proposal to fund broadband for low income households by tapping into the Universal Service Fund. Thus far, the USF established by the Federal Communications Commission principally funds universal telephone service (and Internet connections for schools and libraries), although there are numerous concerted efforts to extend USF monies to broadband. The USF is funded by assessments on voice telephone service and administered by a Federal-State board of regulatory commissioners. Last November, the FCC sought comment on a proposal supported by then-Chairman Kevin Martin for a pilot program that would subsidize broadband Internet to low-income households.