Summary
The Supreme Court will review a case challenging the FCC’s authority over the Universal Service Fund (USF), which subsidizes broadband for low-income, rural communities, schools, and libraries.
The case questions whether Congress improperly delegated lawmaking power to the FCC and whether the FCC gave too much authority to the nonprofit managing the fund.
This follows the Court’s rollback of Chevron doctrine, which diminishes reliance on agency expertise.
A Fifth Circuit ruling deemed the USF’s funding structure unconstitutional, raising concerns about the future of affordable broadband access nationwide.
As a reminder to everyone, you currently pay for the USF on every telecom bill you have.
It costs these companies practically nothing because they’re allowed to recover those funds from other customers via bill surcharges.
Also a reminder that you’re likely paying a couple surcharges for various programs these companies “completed” decades ago and lobbied to not have to finish but still charge customers for.