NTCA Submits Recommendations on Universal Service Updates to Congress

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and 21 state broadband associations submitted recommendations to the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Universal Service Fund Working Group to guide reforms of the USF to ensure that it will sustain the deployment of robust networks and delivery of reliable services at more affordable rates in rural America. In the comments, the group emphasizes that the ongoing mission of universal service does not end with the initial deployment of a network. At its essence, the USF addresses four goals: promoting availability, affordability, sustainability, and scalability of networks, which the associations say must be kept in mind when considering and pursuing reforms. The associations specifically recommend that the USF Working Group address several issues, including modernizing the contribution mechanism, enhancing the accuracy of broadband maps, improving coordination between the USF programs and other federal broadband programs, and increasing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the administration of the programs.