Universal Service Fund Expansion Pilot Approved by State Commissioners

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners has approved a resolution endorsing a Federal Communications Commission proposal to expand Lifeline and Link Up telephone subsidization programs to offer broadband service for low income consumers. The proposal will allow telecommunications companies, even those that do not currently receive USF dollars, to receive Universal Service Fund monies to help low income families connect to the Internet. Companies that do not currently receive USF funding for voice service would have to pay into the fund in order to be eligible.