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Federal Universal Service Fund

The FCC's Universal Service Fund (USF) was created by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to fund programs designed to provide universal telecommunications access to all U.S. citizens. All telecommunications providers are required to contribute a percentage of their end-user revenues to the Fund, which the FCC allocates for four core programs: 1. Connect America Fund, which subsidizes telecom providers for the increased costs of offering services to customers in rural and remote areas 2. Lifeline, which directly subsidizes low-income households to help pay for the cost of phone and internet service 3. Rural Health Care, which subsidizes health care providers to offer broadband telehealth services that can connect rural patients and providers with specialists located farther away 4. E-Rate, which subsidizes rural and low-income schools and libraries for internet and telecommunications costs The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the USF on behalf of the FCC, but requires Congressional approval for its actions. Many states also operate their own universal service funds, which operate independently from the federal program.

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Virginian Petitions for SpaceX RDOF Reconsideration
January 5, 2024 |Satellite

Denying SpaceX participation in the rural digital opportunity fund (see 2312130004) effectively denied thousands of Virginians USF-funded internet access, a Virginia resident and retired E-rate consultant said in a docket 19-126 reconsideration petition posted Wednesday. Petitioner Greg Weisiger said many rural and insular locations, such as his home outside Richmond, are far from USF-funded roads or rights of way and thus burdened with high connection costs. Satellite installation costs are relatively low, he said.

Consumers' Research Challenges USF Q1 Contribution Factor in 5th Circuit
January 4, 2024 |Telecom Notes

Consumers' Research filed a new challenge of the FCC's Q1 2024 USF contribution factor in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday. It's the third time the group challenged a contribution factor with this court (see 2310030069). The contribution methodology and ultimate quarterly factor "exceed the FCC's statutory authority" and violate the nondelegation doctrine, the group said in its petition for review (docket 24-60006).

Topics:Federal Universal Service Fund, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), FCC Lifeline