Supreme Court ruled the USF is constitutional. Now the debate refocuses on reform, and who pays in

Broadband-for-all advocates and telecom providers who serve rural areas have spent the last couple of years worried about whether the U.S. Supreme Court would essentially scuttle the Universal Service Fund, which helps to subsidize service in underserved, rural, and remote areas of the country as well as connect libraries and schools across the country. But, in a 6-3 decision, SCOTUS reversed a lower court decision and affirmed that the USF does not violate the Constitution, and that the Federal Communications Commission did not improperly delegate its authority to the Universal Service Administrative Company. The Supreme Court ruling preserves the USF and means that program to subsidize rural telecommunications, wireless and broadband services can continue to operate. Industry groups reacted to the ruling with relief—and indicated strong interest in moving onto USF reform, now that the program’s future is no longer is doubt.