6-3 decision preserves affordable access to highspeed internet and phone for homes, schools, libraries, and other public facilities in underserved areas
WASHINGTON – People in rural and low-income communities notched a win today with a U.S. Supreme Court decision preserving funding that ensures affordable and reliable phone and internet service is available in rural and hard-to-reach parts of the country and to people in low-income households. The 6-3 decision in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) v. Consumers’ Research will keep health care facilities, schools and libraries, and rural and low-income households across the country connected to broadband service, as part of the Universal Service Fund (USF), run by the FCC and established by Congress.
“Rural communities especially depend on affordable, reliable access to phone and internet service,” said Richard Dubois, Executive Director of the National Consumer Law Center. “Today’s decision protects the existing, basic level of these essential services for rural and low-income households across the country.”
The decision reverses a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
“While today’s decision preserves existing access to basic internet and phone service, Congress must act to ensure adequate funding for broadband for all communities across the country,” Dubois said.
Related Resources
Support NCLC
Please support NCLC's work to advance consumer rights and economic justice with a tax-deductible contribution today!
Donate