The Universal Service Fund is stuck in its own Groundhog Day

It seems like the Universal Service Fund (USF) has been stuck in a loop for years, as debates over how it could be improved and better funded rage on. There are plenty of possible solutions on the table, yet the wheels just keep on spinning. The USF is dedicated to broadband builds in rural and Tribal areas, a low-income affordability program and for connections in schools, hospitals and libraries. Since its launch in 1997, the USF has been propped up by fees tacked onto phone bills but USTelecom, NTCA, and WTA have advocated that the burden on phone companies should be lightened by taxing broadband and edge providers. Over the past few years lawmakers have made several attempts to fix the USF, but nothing seems to stick. New Street Research’s Blair Levin said it’s possible that the Congress in 2025 will reform the USF system, “but several FCC's and Congress' have kicked the can down the road so it is possible for it to happen again.”