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FCC Moves To Convert Phone Fund To Broadband Fund

Posted by Soulskill on from the only-a-decade-or-so-behind dept.

medv4380 writes "The Federal Communications Commission is expected to change the Universal Service Fund so that the funds are directed toward broadband infrastructure instead of rural phone infrastructure. '... while the world has changed around it, USF – in too many ways – has stood still, and even moved backwards. The program is still designed to support traditional telephone service. It’s a 20th century program poorly suited for the challenges of a 21st century world.' You can see a transcript of what was presented to the FCC (PDF) online."

3 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Just another tax to add to our monthly bill! by pcjunky · · Score: 4, Informative

    Most telcos (Cable or DSL) already collect these fees now. We don't have to charge for USF as a broadband (WISP) provider. They may force all broadband providers to collect these fess now. Won't have much effect on the vast majority of users.

  2. Re:Just another tax to add to our monthly bill! by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 5, Informative

    They've been collecting the fee since 1934 on telephones.

    Until now it was going towards telephones in rural areas, now it'll go to internet infrastructure.

  3. Great if you can get it spent correctly by Coopjust · · Score: 4, Informative

    Giving funds to telecom companies always turns out productively, right?