BroadbandBreakfast: Universal Service Reform Gets Bipartisan and Industry Support

On September 29th, the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program will release a new policy paper by Blair Levin, former executive director of the FCC’s Omnibus Broadband Initiative, in which he lays out a sensible strategy for funding universal broadband through targeted reforms to the Universal Service Fund. The event will be live-streamed here at www.knightcomm.org. For an update on the latest developments related to H.R. 5828, the Universal Service Reform Act, read the recent coverage by BroadbandBreakfast.com’s Deputy Editor Rahul Gaitonde.

by Rahul Gaitonde, Deputy Editor, BroadbandBreakfast.com, posted in full at broadbandbreakfast.com.

WASHINGTON, September 16, 2010 – The Universal Service Fund is in need of reform but rather than fully overhaul the program, Reps. Rick Boucher, D-Va., and Lee Terry, R-Neb., have introduced a bill targeting the high cost fund, the method of fund collection and the inclusion of funds for the support of broadband.

H.R. 5828, the Universal Service Reform Act, has received support from a broad range of stakeholders including Verizon, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association and the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association.

Read more at BroadbandBreakfast.com.