Highlight any text to annotate

This bill authorizes ongoing funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which helps low-income Americans afford broadband internet service. The legislation expands who must contribute to the Universal Service Fund to include major internet companies (edge providers like social media and streaming services and broadband providers), not just traditional telecommunications carriers, with larger companies paying higher assessments. The Federal Communications Commission is authorized to borrow up to $25 billion from the Treasury over two years to support the program, with repayment required within eight years using Universal Service Fund revenues. The bill also requires internet providers to apply the connectivity benefit to eligible households' accounts within one billing cycle of verification and gives the FCC flexibility to modify program requirements as needed to improve administration and sustainability. The FCC has two years from enactment to write implementing regulations, with the contribution expansion taking effect 270 days before the Universal Service Fund support mechanism begins.

Add a comment

Sign in to comment on this bill.

Annotate the text

Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.