In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (USF) in the case of Consumers’ Research v. Federal Communications Commission. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) responded to this decision with a statement emphasizing the longstanding importance of universal service principles in American communications policy.
The CWA noted that while the legality of the USF’s structure should not have been questioned, changes in the communications industry since 1996 necessitate updates to how the fund is supported. They called on Congress to modernize the contribution mechanism to ensure essential services like broadband internet remain accessible and affordable for all Americans.
The organization expressed satisfaction with efforts by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC9), and Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA7) in restarting the Universal Service Fund Working Group. This initiative positions Congress to take necessary actions for updating support mechanisms.
The litigation underscored widespread backing for the USF, with various companies and organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and NCTA – The Internet & Television Association filing amicus briefs supporting its constitutionality. These briefs highlighted potential negative impacts if the fund were compromised.
CWA members are prepared to advocate for using USF resources to develop fiber broadband infrastructure in rural areas and make services affordable for low-income households. They emphasized that without an inclusive network, community well-being could be at risk.
