WTA Reminds Congressional USF Working Group of the Importance of Universal Service

This week, WTA responded to the Congressional USF Working Group’s inquiry about its efforts to “modernize and strengthen” the Universal Service Fund.

In its response, WTA explained the important role that USF has played in bringing high-quality broadband and telephone networks to rural communities and encouraged future-looking goals and needed modernization. WTA reminded the Working Group that the clear principles to the FCC in Section 254 of the Communications Act – access to quality telecommunications and information services at affordable rates available to all Americans regardless of where they live with predictable and sufficient mechanisms to advance this goal – still remain relevant today and that ensuring access to services in rural areas comparable to that in urban areas is not something that can be ever be considered accomplished. As technology and consumer needs change, networks will have to be upgraded to keep pace.

In addition, WTA reiterated its calls for modernization of the contributions methodology so that users of the broadband network, rather than voice customers, are the main contributors to what is, today, a broadband-centric fund. On the distributions side, WTA advocated for additional funding so that providers can provide fiber to meet increased speed demands of consumers and businesses and a reassessment of covered costs.

Finally, WTA provided recommendations on mapping, overbuilding, and a few other issues that would improve operation and efficiency in the Fund.

WTA is hopeful that public feedback on USF will prompt the Working Group, which is made up of a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers, will lead to legislation and, eventually, modernization of the Telecom Act.