Decision on Universal Service Fund fees won't come amid Network Neutrality court battle

A decision on whether to start tacking Universal Service fees onto Internet customers’ bills has been delayed amid ongoing litigation over neworkt neutrality rules, according to a Federal Communications Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. During her re-confirmation hearing, Commissioner Rosenworcel said a decision from the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, on which she sits, will not come until there is more certainty about the classification of broadband Internet service.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) pressed her on whether the delay signaled a lack of confidence that the rules would be upheld by the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. "I have no crystal ball," Commissioner Rosenworcel said about the court's decision, adding that she has confidence in how the rules were written. But she said with resources "constrained" at the FCC, it would be prudent to hold off on a decision until there is more "legal certainty."