FCC Broadband Fund Would Get Reboot Under Infrastructure Bill

The Senate’s infrastructure package could be the push the Federal Communications Commission needs to modernize the Universal Service Fund, former agency officials and analysts said.

The bill, if it becomes law, would require the FCC to report to lawmakers within 270 days of its enactment on the agency’s options for improving the fund’s effectiveness in achieving universal broadband goals. The FCC, in its report, also could provide recommendations for Congress to expand those goals.

The Senate is debating the $550 billion infrastructure package and could vote as early as this week. The House can begin considering the bipartisan bill after ...