The Universal Service Fund is funded by assessments on long-distance voice revenue from landline and wireless telecommunications providers. The providers pass these assessments along to consumers on their bills. Due to declining long-distance revenue and increased needs of the program, the contributions factor (the percentage used to assess revenue) has increased steadily from less than 10% fifteen years ago to around 30% today.
All four USF programs support broadband networks and services, yet the contributions are still based on long-distance revenue. The system needs to be modernized so that broadband is assessed for contributions to the Fund.
USF Contributions Resources
The Critical Need for Universal Service Fund Contributions Modernization – WTA’s two-page issue brief on the need for USF contributions modernization for policymakers – updated February 2023
Issue Briefs for Policy Makers
S. 856, the FAIR Contributions Act
S. 975/H.R. 1812 – the Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act of 2023
WTA Statement on Senate Commerce Committee approval of the Fair Contributions Act – released May 11, 2022
Letter to Policymakers on USF Modernization – released February 14, 2021
Watch a short video produced by CoBank explaining the need for USF contributions modernization.
USForward: FCC Must Reform USF Contributions – A report by Mattey Consulting, LLC
