The Joint Board’s recommendation is a critical recognition that we must modernize the universal fund for the digital age and extend broadband’s reach to those who can benefit most. As communications technologies change, universal service must change with it, thus helping advance America’s communication future. However, I am disappointed that in taking this historic step that the Joint Board didn’t go farther – to transition more significantly from supporting outdated analog technologies to supporting digital technologies. The challenge and benefits from universal broadband are immense – but they chose to attack the challenge with a rubber-band gun rather than a concerted national effort to make us the first in the world in broadband. Some say we can’t afford to make this change. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that we can’t afford not to.

Our nation’s commitment to ubiquitous and affordable communications has never been more important than now. Making broadband as common as telephone service must be our goal in the 21st century. We are only on the threshold of an information technology revolution if we preserve and strengthen our guarantee of universal, affordable communication access for all Americans.

The Federal Communications Commission should take the opportunity of USF reform to bring the promise of 21st century communications to all American. It should use USF support to extend broadband’s reach to those who can benefit most, envisioning USF as not just a safety net to ensure an old communications service, but as a springboard for access to the engine of our economic future.

How about this one, a $500M subsidy to wire 5,400 homes in Hawaii with fiber when most of the people already had access to DSL. That’s close to $100,000 a person.
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USF = pork, pork, pork, pork, pork!!!
It was far cheaper to pay for a satellite connection forever on these lots.

The cable, phone, and cell monopolies manipulate subsidies to their advantage, so that those subsidies pay for services to rich people and fail to provide service that would not have been provided absent that subsidy. Small businesses are entitled to file for USF, and some actually manage to receive funds, but mostly the money goes to the companies that have PACs in DC.

Get rid of it.

I don’t think anyone would argue that the USF is still needed… so rather than get rid of it, our brilliant policymakers want to spend it on pork. Lovely.