"At its essence, the USF addresses four goals: promoting availability, affordability, sustainability and scalability of networks, which the associations say must be kept in mind when considering and pursuing reforms. The associations specifically recommend that the USF Working Group address several issues, including modernizing the contribution mechanism, enhancing the accuracy of broadband maps, improving coordination between the USF programs and other federal broadband programs, and increasing transparency, accountability and efficiency in the administration of the programs."
"Arlington, Va., (September 15, 2025)-NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association and 21 state broadband associations submitted recommendations to the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group to guide reforms of the USF to ensure that it will sustain the deployment of robust networks and delivery of reliable services at more affordable rates in rural America. In the comments, the group emphasizes that the ongoing mission of universal service does not end with the initial deployment of a network."
NTCA and 21 state broadband associations recommended reforms to the Universal Service Fund to sustain deployment and reliable service delivery at more affordable rates in rural America. The group states the USF's mission continues beyond initial network deployment and centers on four goals: availability, affordability, sustainability and scalability. The associations urge modernization of the contribution mechanism, improved accuracy of broadband maps, better coordination between USF and other federal broadband programs, and increased transparency, accountability and efficiency in program administration. The associations emphasize that sufficient and predictable High-Cost USF funding is necessary to maintain and scale rural networks and benefit rural and low-income communities.
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