By John Eggerton, Multichannel News, 7-22-21
A trio of Republicans has introduced a bill that would require the FCC to consider levying Universal Service Fund broadband subsidy fees on Big Tech edge providers including video streaming giants Netflix and YouTube.
There have been periodic calls to expand the USF contribution base given that it was set up to subsidize voice service to low-income and hard-to-reach areas via fees on consumers’ phone bills, while Internet service has become the go-to communications technology for voice, video, and data.
The Funding Affordable Internet with Reliable (FAIR) Contributions Act was introduced July 21 by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee; Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.); and Todd Young (R-Ind.). » Read More