Universal Service Fund

Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, building on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program created earlier in 2021. For the EBB Program, Congress provided the Federal Communications Commission with $3.2 billion to make monthly broadband service bills more affordable for low-income households. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act adds an additional $14.2 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program, while leaving in place the EBB Program's basic framework.

In response to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Federal Communications Commission established universal service mechanisms to help ensure that all Americans have access to affordable telecommunications service. Congress mandated that these programs be supported by contributions from every telecommunications carrier that provides interstate telecommunications, and other providers of telecommunications services if the FCC finds contributions from such providers to be in the public interest.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB)—in conjunction with the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force (RBATF) and the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA)—authorizes Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (Auction 904) support for 2,521 winning bids. The FCC reviewed the long-form application information, including the letter(s) of credit and Bankruptcy Code opinion letter(s) from the long-form applicant’s legal counsel.

On December 23, 2021, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) highlighted the accomplishments of its new Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth over the past year and begins what will be annual tracking of investments in federal broadband support programs and Universal Service Fund programs. In the ACCESS BROADBAND 2021 Report NTIA also makes recommendations to improve efforts to track broadband spending and outcomes. The law also requires the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth to submit a report to Congress each year that i

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel reflected on the accomplishments of the agency in 2021. The chairwoman highlighted a number of programs, funding opportunities, auctions and new initiatives enacted by the FCC, including:

As he campaigns in rural Texas, Beto O’Rourke is accusing Gov Greg Abbott (R-TX) of stifling efforts to improve broadband internet access there, even after Abbott prioritized the issue in the regular legislative session earlier in 2021.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel hereby appoints seven members to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The term for the representative for commercial mobile radio service providers will end on December 31, 2022. All other positions are for a three-year term beginning on January 1, 2022. Chairwoman Rosenworcel appoints the following individuals to the USAC Board of Directors:

A Mississippi official called on the Federal Communications Commission to audit AT&T’s use of Connect America Fund (CAF) money in the state, citing concerns about the accuracy of broadband coverage information submitted by the operator. AT&T denied it has done anything wrong.

Rep Joe Neguse (D-CO) unveiled bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expand access to universal broadband. Led by Neguse in the House, the Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act is the companion to Senate legislation originally introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD). The Act directs the Federal Communications Commission to improve funding for the Universal Service Fund (USF), expanding access to broadband and other telecommunications services.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel responded to a September 27 letter from Reps Roger Williams (R-TX), Ed Case (D-HI), and David Trone (D-MD) concerning the review process for long-form applications in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction. Rosenworcel's response highlighted the steps the FCC has taken to "clean up the program before funding was made available to successful bidders" following the issue of some "questionable locations" chosen in the initial funding decisions.