WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) today continued the process of seeking public input ahead of a #CommActUpdate by releasing a white paper focused on the Universal Service Fund. The white paper seeks comment on the structure and effectiveness of the fund, as currently designed, and questions whether the goals of the fund can be advanced more efficiently in other ways.
“The Universal Service Fund was established to ensure that telecommunications services are available and accessible to students, low-income consumers and rural Americans. As a partnership between the federal and state governments, and funded by ratepayers, it is essential that we review and ensure the effectiveness of this $8 billion per year program as part of our #CommActUpdate process," said Upton and Walden. “As technologies have been improved and networks upgraded, we have a responsibility to review the program to find out if the fund is still serving its purpose and if there may be better ways to accomplish its goals."
While this white paper is focused on the Universal Service Program, the committee encourages comment on any aspect of updating the Communications Act. Please respond by Sept. 19, 2014, to commactupdate@mail.house.gov.
