Podcasts about universal service fund usf

The Supreme Court is set to hear argument this term in a case raising both the nondelegation and private nondelegation doctrines. On July 24, 2024, the en banc Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal Universal Service Fund (“USF”), which funds broadband service for rural areas and hospitals, schools, libraries, and low-income individuals, […]

Understanding the Federal Universal Service Fund, Podcast ,Three Methods for Determining FUSF Contribution “It's not a tax. It's a fee,” Jeff Lytle, of Sandy Beaches Software. “And it's assessed on telecommunications companies.”  According to the FCC, “Prior to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Universal Service Fund (USF) operated as a mechanism by which interstate long-distance carriers were assessed to subsidize telephone service to low-income households and high-cost areas. The Communications Act of 1934 stated that all people in the United States shall have access to rapid, efficient, nationwide communications service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 expanded the traditional definition of universal service - affordable, nationwide telephone service to include among other things rural health care providers and eligible schools and libraries.” In this podcast, Jeff, whose company and career have been dedicated to helping organizations stay in compliance with the FUSF, brings us up to date on what that challenge looks like today. “Every telecom company in the United States, VoIP or otherwise, contributes to the Universal Service Fund, and this funds the libraries, and hospitals. It funds the phones for poor people or the undeserved and allows them to have communication services. the fund was created in 2000 and at that time the rate was 5.7 percent and now it's grown to where it's 35.8 percent of the build revenue. Now, when the FCC created this back in 2000, they gave three different methods for calculating your contribution rate. It's called a contribution. It's not a tax, dog It's a contribution you're making to fund these services. The government's But if you don't pay it, you do get heavy fines.” When a tax is not a tax, and fee might not be a fee As we learn in this podcast, the FUSF is not so cut and dry. As a specialist on this matter, Jeff outlines how companies can be looking at a less steep fee. But you will need a deep understanding of this matter, and likely, specialized help. Jeff and his team at Sandy Beaches Software are headquartered in Oklahoma City, a city noted for sunshine, but often beaches. We learn that their made (and supported) in the USA offer, also represents an advantage. “If you were working in all 50 states and had to file for every single jurisdiction, you'd have 48,000 returns per year that you would be filing. You need a compliance company at that point. When you're only working in one, two states, a lot of times you can do it on your own and you don't need that third party. But your billing company works in between all of these folks to make that happen. You need a solid billing company that's experienced with the tax piece to get it right.” Visit www.sandybeachessoftware.com  

This week: Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, joins to discuss legal uncertainty around the Universal Service Fund (USF), and why preserving USF programs is crucial for rural providers and families. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a significant victory for constitutional order, the en banc U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled in Consumers' Research v. Federal Communications Commission that Congress unlawfully delegated legislative power to the FCC, allowing it to control the Universal Service Fund (USF). NCLA played a pivotal role in this outcome, filing an amicus curiae brief that highlighted the legal flaws in the FCC's authority. Join Vec and NCLA General Counsel and Senior Litigation Counsel Zhonette Brown as they delve into this decision, its implications for the FCC, and what it means for American taxpayers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AT&T's CEO John Stankey urges major tech companies, including Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla, to help subsidize U.S. internet and telephone access by contributing to the Universal Service Fund (USF). The USF, a federal program with a yearly budget of $8 billion, supports lower-income customers, rural residents, high-cost areas, and eligible schools and libraries. Currently, AT&T contributes a percentage of its revenues to the USF and transfers some costs to its customers through a Universal Connectivity Charge. AT&T's contribution rate has risen to 34.4%, according to Rhonda Johnson, AT&T's vice president of federal regulatory relations, who also suggested that tech companies benefiting from increased online activity should share in USF contributions.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast, Christopher is joined by Angela Siefer and Greg Guice to explore the crucial topic of Universal Service Fund (USF) reform in bridging the digital divide. The podcast delves into the challenges of the overcommitted USF, emphasizing the need for modernization and expansion, and the permanence of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in achieving national equity and inclusion goals. ★ Support this podcast ★

We talk about the role access to the internet can play in transforming Pakistan's economy, promote inclusion, and really empower those who are on the periphery of Pakistan's political economy. The Universal Service Fund (USF) has been doing some phenomenal work on this topic, and Haaris Mahmood Chaudhry, who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of USF, joins us to share what his organization is up to to promote access to the internet. Haaris has over 20 years of global experience in the private and public sector, with a particular focus in telecoms and finance. You should also follow USF on Twitter @USF_Pak. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 USF's mandate and mission 10:20 Scaling internet infrastructure in Pakistan 15:30 Barriers to access in the ecosystem 22:30 Scaling pilot projects 28:10 Impact of access to internet

In this podcast, Jeff Baumgartner, Mike Dano, Nicole Ferraro, Phil Harvey and Kelsey Ziser discuss court proceedings around the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Graphiant's new $62 million in funding. The editors also examine Roku's layoffs, new fiber manufacturing projects in the US and why wireless providers are pushing more device inventory online in The Notebook Dump for the week ending March 31. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With billions of dollars allocated to broadband funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the future of the FCC's Universal Service Fund (USF) is a hotly debated topic. Now, with multiple lawsuits challenging the very legality of the USF contribution system, as well as new guidance from the Supreme Court on the limits of […]

With billions of dollars allocated to broadband funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the future of the FCC’s Universal Service Fund (USF) is a hotly debated topic. Now, with multiple lawsuits challenging the very legality of the USF contribution system, as well as new guidance from the Supreme Court on the limits of federal agencies’ power, the future of the Fund hangs in the balance. Join industry experts to discuss the issues raised in Consumers’ Research v. FCC and where the lawsuits stand in the aftermath of West Virginia v. EPA.Featuring:Robert Frieden, Emeritus Professor of Telecommunications and Law, Penn State UniversityHarold Furchtgott-Roth, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for the Economics of the Internet, Hudson InstituteMichael Romano, Sr. VP of Industry Affairs and Business Development, NTCA – The Rural Broadband AssociationModerator: Arielle Roth, Legislative Counsel, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt---To register, please click the link above

Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report focusing on the Lifeline program. Tucked away in that report was a significant discussion of Universal Service Fund (USF) contributor audits that has received little attention. In this episode, Partner Steve Augustino and Special Counsel Denise Smith discuss four trends in USF contributor audits they expect to result from the GAO report.

The FCC voted to take multiple actions against Sandwich Isles Communications, which provides phone and broadband service to customers on Hawaiian Home Lands, for violations and apparent violations related to Universal Service Fund (USF) support. The company will be required to repay over $27 million in improper payments. The Commission has proposed more than $49 million in fines against the company for apparent violations of rules relating to the high-cost program.

The FCC voted to take multiple actions against Sandwich Isles Communications, which provides phone and broadband service to customers on Hawaiian Home Lands, for violations and apparent violations related to Universal Service Fund (USF) support. The company will be required to repay over $27 million in improper payments. The Commission has proposed more than $49 million in fines against the company for apparent violations of rules relating to the high-cost program.

The FCC is knee-deep in Universal Service Fund (USF) reform and other key issues that are influencing broadband expansion and adoption in the U.S. FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn is our guest this week, helping listeners better understand, and (hopefully) participate in some of the FCC's efforts. Broadcasting live from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors conference in San Francisco, host Craig Settles and Commissioner Clyburn discuss:   USF reform issues that directly impact funding that may become available for broadband broadband adoption issues specific to underserved urban communities how to increase communities' participation in broadband policy making Over $4 billion in potential broadband funding is being influenced by FCC actions. Policies that influence decisions made at the regional and local level are on the table. If you care about broadband, this is one show you don't want to miss.  

National Broadband Plan Chief architect Blair Levin has another tiger by the tail as he hopes to accelerate gigabit broadened via a consortium of 29 universities dubbed Gig.U. Is your community in the loop?   Gig.U will create gigabit hubs at member colleges that then build coverage out to surrounding communities. Blair gives listeners an overview of Gig.U and sets the stage for a full briefing tomorrow on the program by Lev Gonick, Case Western Reserve University CIO and Gig.U member. We then shift gears to give listeners an in-depth look at proposed Universal Service Fund (USF) reform, but without the wonky-techie talk. Billions of dollars, as well as the quality of broadband that may or may not come to your community, are at stake. This is an great opportunity for communities to call in and engage in this critical discussion.