NDIA Urges Congress to Create New Broadband Affordability Benefit Program

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in May 2025 that the Universal Service Fund program is constitutional, Congress renewed its efforts to modernize the program. In August, the bipartisan, bicameral USF Working Group again invited public input through a request for comments on the future of USF funding structure and programs. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance submitted comments to the Congressional working group in September, informed by conversations with NDIA affiliates. NDIA's recommendations span a wide range of topics, but primarily focus on:

1. Broadband Affordability: We provided recommendations to Congress on why and how they should modernize USF to make broadband more affordable for low-income households. 
2. USF Should Support Digital Inclusion Programs: We argued that the modernized USF should support households in subscribing to the internet by supporting digital inclusion activities and programs.
3. Measuring Progress Towards Digital Equity: We provided recommendations on how the Federal Communications Commission could more effectively measure the progress of the USF programs toward achieving universal service.