Universal Service Policy and the Role of the Federal Communications Commission

The House Commerce Committee has eight questions about universal service it would like input on as it considers a rewrite of telecommunications law:

  1. How should Congress define the goals of the Universal Service Fund? Should Congress alter or eliminate any of the six statutory principles, codify either of the principles adopted by the Federal Communications Commission, or add any new principles in response to changes in technology and consumer behavior?
  2. Universal service was created to fund buildout in areas incapable of economically supporting network investment. How should our policies address the existence of multiple privately funded networks in many parts of the country that currently receive support?
  3. What is the appropriate role of states and state commissions with respect to universal service policy?
  4. What is the appropriate role of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service in a broadband, IP-enabled, largely interstate world? What is the appropriate role of related joint boards, such as the Federal-State Joint Board on Separations or the Federal-State Conference on Advanced Services?
  5. The Universal Service Fund is one of several federal programs that support buildout of communications facilities. Are current programs at other federal agencies, like the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (which oversaw the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program) or the Rural Utility Service (which oversees lending programs and oversaw the Broadband Initiatives Program) necessary?
  6. How can we ensure that the Universal Service Fund is sufficiently funded to meet its stated goals without growing the fund beyond fiscally responsible levels of spending?
  7. Are all of the funds and mechanisms of the current Universal Service Fund necessary in the modern communications marketplace?
  8. In lieu of the current support mechanisms, could any of the programs be better managed or made more efficient by conversion to: a. A state block grant program; b. A consumer-focused voucher program; c. A technology-neutral reverse auction; or, d. Any other mechanism?

The committee requests input by September 9, 2014.


Universal Service Policy and the Role of the Federal Communications Commission House panel pushes on for communications law update (The Hill)