Thirty Years After the Telecommunications Act, We’re Still Working to Realize the Promise of Universal Service

Thirty years ago, in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress reaffirmed a national commitment first articulated in 1934: communications services should be available to all Americans, without discrimination, and at just and reasonable rates. Lawmakers also recognized that universal service could no longer mean just plain old telephone service. In an emerging digital economy, the promise had to extend to what they called “advanced communications,” and we now popularly call internet access and broadband. Congress and the Clinton Administration recognized that an increasing level of basic connectivity needed to be available everywhere, affordable for everyone, and capable of supporting work, education, health care, and civic life. Although we’ve made incredible advances in universal service, the full promise remains unfulfilled. Twenty-two percent of U.S. adults lack broadband service at home, and 16 percent are “smartphone-only” internet users—relying on smartphones without fixed broadband to support work, education, and daily life.