Benton to FCC: Use USF to Accelerate Transition to Broadband

In comments filed at the Federal Communications Commission, the Benton Foundation argues that the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) is a crucial element in reaching the nation's goal of ubiquitous, affordable high-speed Internet service. Akin to the nation's transition from analog to digital television technology, Benton believes we are moving from traditional, plain, old telephone service (POTS) to broadband, using USF support to accelerate this transition that promises to make life more livable, businesses more productive, jobs more plentiful, and the Internet more accessible. Benton proposes that rather than an immediate flash cut in the current USF system's analog support, a five-year timetable for transitioning subsidies from analog to digital --with a hard analog shut-off date -- will put the United States on a more sure-footed broadband trajectory. However, at the dawn of this Digital Age, those who could benefit the most from this economically empowering technology are also those most likely to be left without access because of where they live or how much money they make.