Court Upholds the Constitutionality of USF, Securing Broadband Access for Millions of Americans
Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in FCC v. Consumers’ Research, upholding the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (USF) in Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers’ Research.
This ruling is a monumental victory for the entire country’s telecom ecosystem, and most importantly, the millions of Americans whose lives are benefiting from the program’s ambitious objective of connecting all Americans, regardless of where they live or their level of income.
“Communications providers serving millions of Americans can breathe a sigh of relief today, knowing there will not be a sharp cutoff of USF, which would have resulted in chaos and harm to American families. The Court’s decision removes an immediate financial threat to the sustainability of critical aspects of the communications sector,” said Michael O’Rielly, former FCC commissioner and advisor to KACC. “With this behind us, the relevant parties can turn to thoughtfully and diligently examining whether or how the USF should be reformed going forward.”
By upholding USF, the ruling enables members of the Keep America Connected Coalition to continue their vital work in bridging the digital divide and ensuring access to essential telecommunications services for all Americans.
“The Universal Service Fund is critical for Competitive Carriers Association members, the broader communications industry, and all Americans who rely on connectivity where it otherwise might not be offered. By upholding the USF, the Supreme Court has ensured that all Americans can benefit from the goal of ubiquitous connectivity, empowering innovation, supporting critical services, and driving the growth of our digital economy. We are pleased with the Court’s decision, and our members will continue their work of providing broadband connectivity throughout rural America,” said Tim Donovan, president & CEO, Competitive Carriers Association.”
“Today’s ruling removes the legal uncertainty hanging over the Universal Service Fund, preserving essential broadband and voice services for rural Americans in Alaska and the rest of the nation. This decision is a monumental victory for universal service, the linchpin of U.S. telecommunications policy for nearly 100 years. GCI thanks all of the stakeholders that rallied in support of this bedrock principle,” said Ron Duncan, CEO, GCI Communication Corp.
“NCTA is pleased that the Supreme Court’s decision will avoid disruption to the essential work of the Universal Service program. We look forward to working with Congress and the FCC to make the adjustments necessary to ensure the program works more effectively and efficiently on behalf of the American people over the long term.” – NCTA-The Internet & Television Association
“We greatly appreciate the court’s affirmation today of the universal service programs that, for many decades, have promoted the availability and affordability of critical communications services for rural health care facilities, schools and libraries, and millions of rural and low-income consumers across the nation,” said NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield. “With this ruling in place, we look forward to refocusing now on critical universal service reform efforts and to working with Congress and the FCC to achieve these essential reforms.”
“Members of the Ad Hoc Broadband for Rural Health Group welcome the outcome at the Court today. The country’s commitment to Universal Service is over 100 years old. In 1996, the Congress renewed that commitment and made it more statutorily explicit than ever. We are pleased the Court recognized that. We look forward to working in the future to ensure these vital programs remain effective, predictable, and sustainable.”
“This ruling protects decades of progress in expanding healthcare access to underserved areas, particularly in geographically remote regions and Native American communities that are medically underserved. I am hopeful of renewed investment and modernization of USF programs to meet future demands,” said Dan Kettwich, president and CEO, ADS Advanced Data Services, Inc.
“The Court’s finding is a major win for rural health care providers who have expended a decade-plus of investment in improving and modernizing their network infrastructure to improve patient outcomes and transform health care in their communities. This ruling is about more than dollars. It is a decision that recognizes their investment and their commitment to the health of citizens living in rural communities. We applaud the court for recognizing the critical importance of this program and preserving its benefit,” Rob Jenkins, senior director of broadband services, Colorado Hospital Association.
For nearly 30 years, USF has been a successful federal program that has helped make communications services accessible and affordable in rural and high-cost areas, funding critical needs such as broadband for schools, libraries, rural health care clinics, and low-income households.
USF supports four vital programs that collectively serve:
- Over 54 million students through broadband-enabled schools and libraries
- More than 16,000 rural health care providers, offering telehealth and remote care
- Roughly 7 million low-income households through Lifeline subsidies
- Millions of consumers in thousands of rural communities where the costs of deploying and maintaining service would otherwise be prohibitive
For more information, visit KeepAmericaConnectedCoalition.org and follow the Keep America Connected Coalition on X and LinkedIn.