The fate of the $8 billion Universal Service Fund (USF) now lies in the hands of the Supreme Court, which has the power to determine whether the subsidy program is unconstitutional. The legality issue concerns the Federal Communications Commission’s choice to delegate the administration of USF programs (Connect America Fund, Lifeline, E-Rate and Rural Health Care) to a private third party—the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The Sixth and Eleventh Circuits have already ruled to uphold the constitutionality of the USF’s current funding mechanism. New Street Research policy analyst Blair Levin thinks the Supreme Court will side with their decision, but the outcome is “far from certain.” We probably won’t know the Supreme Court’s decision until June 2025. But one key factor weighing on the USF’s future is Elon Musk’s influence on telecom policy. As head of the Trump administration’s new Department of Government Efficiency, Musk could push the idea that the current USF program is “inefficient and should be scrapped,” said Levin. Musk could also suggest the government move forward with a more “narrowed” USF program geared toward deploying his Starlink satellite service.

The Commerce Department remains committed to economic growth and support for America’s Tribal communities because of President Biden’s leadership in addressing historic inequities. Over the past four years, the Biden-Harris Administration has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to closing the digital divide in Native communities and significant investments have been made in high-speed internet for Tribal communities across America. Over the past four years, the Biden-Harris Administration has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to closing the digital divide in Native communities and significant investments have been made in high-speed internet for Tribal communities across America. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) remains the largest investment ever in high-speed Internet service on Tribal lands. NTIA’s first funding notice resulted in awards totaling $1.86 billion to 226 Tribal entities. These projects have already connected or lowered Internet costs for more than 4,500 Tribal homes, with many more to come. In 2023, NTIA launched a second funding notice, making up to $980 million available for Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities for the deployment of Internet infrastructure on Tribal Lands, affordability programs, telehealth and distance learning initiatives. Recently, $72 million to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands was announced as the first reward to expand high-speed Internet access and adoption in Native Hawaiian households.

Read more to learn how NTIA and Native communities are working together – and see the impacts of digital equity in these communities.

Walter Prescher, a father of twelve, Methodist pastor, and Iraq war veteran with three Army tours, has been working hard to help other veterans and military families across rural areas surrounding Houston get more comfortable using the internet. His deep connection to the community, especially with veterans, makes him a trusted figure as a community resource for people in hard-to-reach areas, teaching them how to use technology to access services, stay in touch with loved ones, and be safe online. For Walter, it’s more than just teaching people how to use a computer—it’s about changing lives. “A big part of what I do is help military families build the lives they want during and after service,” Walter shares. “The internet has been a game-changer for so many of them. From telehealth to staying connected with their benefits, it’s all digital now.” Walter’s military service and familiarity with the community, led the Easter Seals of Greater Houston (ESGH) to hire him as its digital navigator for their community of veterans, people with disabilities, and their families.

RightFiber, a brand of Ritter Communications, agreed in principle to acquire the City of Ruston’s fiber optic broadband network in Louisiana. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. RightFiber will continue serving existing business customers at that time. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker said, “RightFiber’s personal approach and future-minded vision set them apart as a service provider. As a dedicated municipal partner, RightFiber is invested in the success and growth of our community.” “This acquisition represents our commitment to delivering future-proof technology to Ruston’s thriving community and expands our company’s operations into the vibrant northern Louisiana area,” Ritter Communications CEO Heath Simpson said. “We plan to expand our 100% fiber network not only within the business community, but to Ruston residential neighborhoods as well, positioning the area as a regional broadband leader and making it a Gigabit City.”

Over the past few years, Americans have lived through an unprecedented surge in censorship. Your companies [Google, Microsoft, Meta/Facebook, and Apple] played significant roles in this improper conduct. Big Tech companies silenced Americans for doing nothing more than exercising their First Amendment rights. They targeted core political, religious, and scientific speech. And they worked—often in concert with so-called “media monitors” and others—to defund, demonetize, and otherwise put out of business news outlets and organizations that dared to deviate from an approved narrative....  I am writing to obtain information from you that can inform the [Federal Communications Commission's] work to promote free speech and a diversity of viewpoints.  As you know, Big Tech’s prized liability shield, Section 230, is codified in the Communications Act, which the FCC administers.  As relevant here, Section 230 only confers benefits on Big Tech companies when they operate, in the words of the statute, “in good faith.” It is in this context that I am writing to obtain information about your work with one specific organization—the Orwellian named NewsGuard. To help inform FCC action, please provide me with the following. Please provide your complete response by December 10, 2024. 

1. A list of every one of your products or services (if any, including advertising) that use or rely on any NewsGuard product, service, or ranking.
2. A list of every one of your products or services (if any) that enables any of your users or customers to use or rely on any NewsGuard product, service, or ranking.
3. If you offer an advertising service, provide details on the use of any media monitor or fact-checking service, including NewsGuard, that you may utilize.
4. If you use third party advertising or marketing agencies to enable advertising within or with your products, please identify the advertising or marketing agencies you work or partner with.