he U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the FCC’s authority to collect Universal Service Fund fees and affirmed USAC’s role. But advocates say the real work starts now, calling for urgent reform to strengthen support for low-income connectivity and modernize the Fund’s structure.

Discover how states are shaping broadband deployment under BEAD funding. With a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and LEO satellite solutions, states are making data-driven decisions to bridge the digital divide. Learn why a technology-neutral approach is key to optimizing broadband access and how Vernonburg Group’s Broadband Funding Optimization Tool supports smarter policy choices.

Discover how streamlining the BEAD permitting process can accelerate broadband deployment across the U.S. Learn about expanded Categorical Exclusions, the FAST-41 process, and how NTIA can collaborate with states to cut red tape and speed up connectivity for unserved communities. Read more about the latest policy updates and their impact on broadband expansion.

On June 24, 2022, The Hill published an Op-Ed I wrote urging policymakers to fully fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). That Op-Ed predicted that funding for the ACP is likely to run out by mid-2024 and called for action at the state and federal levels to extend that funding.

The US Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) setting the ground rules for $42.5 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Development (BEAD) Program grants made available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (Infrastructure Bill).