Universal Service Fund

As the Senate Commerce Committee is set to convene for the first time in the 119th Congress, we look at the membership of the panel and their priorities when it comes to broadband policy. Previously, we looked at the priorities of Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who sits on the Commerce Committee as well. The committee includes 15 Republicans and 13 Democrats. 

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau adopted the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric, the most up-to-date and comprehensive source for identifying broadband serviceable locations (BSLs), as the basis it will rely on for generally verifying compliance with high-cost program deployment obligations and for adjusting the location obligations for certain high-cost support mechanisms.

On December 31, 2024, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel released a note reflecting on the agency's work over the course of 2024. "The end of the year is always a time for reflection," Chairwoman Rosenworcel said. "That’s especially true for me in 2024 as my service at the Federal Communications Commission is coming to a close. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role and a special privilege to be the first woman confirmed to do so." The Chairwoman categorized her time at the FCC into five core values:

The Federal Communications Commission's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) kicked off with a reverse auction in October 2020 and has been shrinking ever since, both from big winners not passing more stringent FCC review and a trickle of subsequent defaults. 2024 saw more tumult. While the agency did not grant amnesty to providers looking to opt out as costs rose, it did take steps to ease financing requirements.

In mid-November 2024, Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr flew to Palm Beach (FL) to clinch his dream job. The telecommunications lawyer and longtime Federal Communications Commission official dropped by a reception at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate and met the incoming president, who recognized Commissioner Carr and praised his work. Two days later, Trump named Carr to lead the agency.

A look at some of the possible changes to the Universal Service Fund (USF):

As we close out 2024, one question hanging over next year is what will come of federal broadband funding for high-cost and low-income programs?

The Federal Communications Commission grants RiverStreet Communications of Virginia, Inc. a limited waiver of the Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) service milestone and non-compliance rules. We will relieve RiverStreet of RDOF obligations to serve all the eligible census blocks within the census block groups covered by RiverStreet’s authorized winning bids in New Kent County (VA).

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel hereby appoints eight members to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company. The individuals are: 

It is not controversial to say that the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) program is unsustainable. Something must change. Universal Service Fund programs cover the cost of maintaining telephone service in high-cost areas, wiring rural schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities for the internet, and providing devices and services at discounted rates to low-income households.