Promoting Broadband for Anchor Institutions
and their Communities
Universal Service Fund
The Universal Service Fund (USF) provides financial support that enables schools and libraries, healthcare providers, low-income consumers, and consumers in high-cost areas to obtain essential broadband services. Unfortunately, the future of the USF is uncertain. USF Funding is generated by assessing a fee on a subset of telecommunications services – an antiquated system that has not been updated in 25 years. The SHLB Coalition is leading a collaborative effort to adopt a fairer and more stable revenue source for the USF. The “USForward” study explains how including broadband services in the funding mechanism would substantially reduce the fee, therefore preserving the USF for the foreseeable future. SHLB is also defending the constitutionality of the USF system in various legal proceedings.
Key Documents
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February 2022 |
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September 2021 |
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SHLB's Advocacy
July 14, 2022
SHLB spoke with Commissioner Starks' Office in support of contribution reform to the Universal Service Fund, as well as the constitutionality of the USF system.
July 8, 2022
SHLB and the USForward coalition submitted an ex parte letter in response to an AT&T letter which questioned the validity of research USForward filed with the FCC.
February 17, 2022
SHLB responded to the FCC's Notice of Inquiry about the future of the USF with recommendations to ensure the USF continues to function effectively, including that the Commission should immediately repair the contribution mechanism.
February 14, 2022
SHLB was one of 332 organizations that wrote to the FCC urging it to immediately take action to reform and stabilize the USF funding mechanism.
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