FCC Reform

The first 19 months of the Trump Federal Communications Commission have changed the nature of the agency. For most of its history, the FCC was a policy-driven body existing in an inevitably political environment. Under the Trump administration, it has become a politics-driven agency employing policy as an instrument.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a proposal to strengthen the management and administration of the Universal Service Fund (USF) and the FCC’s oversight of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The proceeding builds on a prior inquiry into improving USAC’s administration of the USF and would launch a comprehensive review to ensure that funds are used for their intended purpose and the administration of those funds is efficient, fair, and cost-effective.

The Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal its 39 percent national television multiple ownership rule and replace it with a granular, case-by-case review. This will empower the FCC to approve deals that promote the public interest while allowing the agency to reject any deals that do not meet that standard.

The cost of online access for schools and libraries across Alaska could increase dramatically if a long-standing federal subsidy ends. The Federal Communications Commission is reviewing the E-rate program that for three decades has helped schools and libraries across the nation lower their connectivity costs. In the past, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has suggested the subsidy should be reduced or eliminated. Alaska school leaders and public librarians are worried about a potential cut at a time when districts are already struggling with budget deficits.

In a landmark decision marking the latest Trump Administration win for American space superiority, the Federal Communications Commission voted to overhaul and modernize the Commission’s space and earth station licensing process. These signature reforms put into action the Commission’s long-term vision for accelerating the Space Bureau’s work. The Report and Order overhauls and modernizes the Commission’s space and earth station licensing process in a number of areas:

If you are a school or library seeking E-Rate discounts, a rural health care provider, a Lifeline provider serving low-income households, or a carrier deploying networks with high-cost support, you deal with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)—the private, not-for-profit corporation that administers the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF).

On April 29, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking—a formal request for public comment on possible rule changes—titled Reforming the High-Cost Program for an All-IP Future. As of now, the document is circulated for tentative consideration at the FCC's May 20, 2026, open meeting and does not yet constitute an agency action. The NPRM proposes reassessing roughly $1.6 billion in annual federal broadband subsidies.

On April 15, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau and the Office of the Managing Director released a public notice seeking input on potential reforms to the operations and management of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). USAC is a subsidiary of the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), and is the private not-for-profit corporation created to serve as the administrator of the FCC's Universal Service Fund (USF). USAC’s function is purely administrative.

The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau and the Office of the Managing Director seek comment on potential reforms to the operations and management of the Universal Service Administrative Company, which administers the FCC’s Universal Service Fund. Given the passage of time since the FCC last conducted a wide-ranging review of USAC and its relevant processes, we seek comment on strengthening USAC’s internal processes and improving its management structure to increase efficiency in the administration of USF programs. As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an item bolstering its suspension and debarment program to align it with other agencies, and seeking comment on expanding the program to allow for the broader removal of participants that commit waste, fraud, and abuse. This action updates FCC processes to align them with government-wide best practices and enables the agency to take quicker and more comprehensive action against wrongdoers so as to better protect these programs from abuse and ensure limited resources are used responsibly to connect all Americans.