November 22, 2024
November 22, 2024— NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), and USTelecom–The Broadband Association released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s announcing it will review the decision of the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit regarding the constitutionality of the mechanism for contributions to the federal Universal Service Fund (USF).
NTCA, CCA, USTelecom and several other parties intervened in appeals challenging the constitutionality of the USF contribution mechanism in the circuit courts and, along with the federal government, petitioned the Supreme Court to review the Fifth Circuit decision declaring the contribution mechanism unconstitutional.
“We are grateful that the Supreme Court has granted certiorari and will review the Fifth Circuit’s finding that the universal service contribution mechanism is unconstitutional as currently structured. The Fifth Circuit’s decision is contrary to Supreme Court precedent and the decision of several other circuit courts of appeals, and it threatens to undermine universal service programs that, for many decades, have served to promote the availability and affordability of critical communications services for millions of rural and low-income consumers, rural health care facilities, and schools and libraries across the nation. We look forward to presenting arguments in defense of the USF contribution mechanism as the case moves forward, and ultimately to dispelling the uncertainty that these challenges have created in furthering our nation’s mission of universal service.”