SHLB Disappointed Over FCC Proposal to Cap USF

The FCC’s proposal to adopt an overall cap on the USF is unfortunate, counter-productive and contrary to congressional intent. Congress directed the FCC to make ‘sufficient’ funding available to meet our nation’s universal service goals, not to prohibit spending that is necessary to reach those goals. We urge the Commission to focus its energies on more pressing issues – such as solving the homework gap, awarding Educational Broadband Service licenses to tribes and educational entities, promoting 5G, making more unlicensed spectrum available, and fixing problems with the E-rate and Rural Health Care programs.