Upper Peninsula Congressman Jack Bergaman joined several of his colleagues in unveiling new legislation that would expand access to universal broadband.
H.R. 6314, the Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve funding mechanisms for the Universal Service Fund (USF), expanding access to broadband and other telecommunications services.
“The way the federal government funds its largest broadband program is outdated. We need to modernize the USF so we can expand highspeed broadband to all who lack it, and not pay for it on the backs of seniors and working families,” Bergman said.
The FCC’s Universal Service Fund (USF) finances roughly $9 billion worth of broadband support for rural areas, telehealth, schools and libraries, and low-income households each year.
The USF is replenished by FCC fees on telecommunications carriers, which are usually passed on to their customers through phone bills.
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