Sens Wicker, Capito, Young Introduce Bill to Explore Collecting USF Contributions from Big Tech

Sens Roger Wicker (R-MS), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the Funding Affordable Internet with Reliable (FAIR) Contributions Act. The legislation would direct the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a study into the feasibility of collecting Universal Service Fund (USF) contributions from internet edge providers such as YouTube, Netflix, and Google. The FAIR Contributions Act would:

• Direct the FCC to issue a Notice of Inquiry seeking public comment on the feasibility of collecting USF contributions from internet edge providers, and issue a final report on the matter within 180 days.
• Require the FCC to consider:
  • Possible sources of Big Tech revenue, such as digital advertising and user fees;
  • The fairness of the current system and a system under which contributions could be assessed on Big Tech firms;
  • The feasibility of assessing contributions on such a broad category of firms that do not currently register with the FCC;
  • The effects such a change would have on Tribal, low-income, and elderly consumers; and
  • The changes to current law necessary to implement this system.