NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association today applauded the introduction of the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act. Introduced by Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Mark Kelly (D- Ariz.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), the legislation directs the FCC to require broadband service providers and large edge providers to contribute to the Universal Service Fund.

"NTCA applauds the introduction of the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act, which would promote more predictable and stable funding to preserve and advance the statutory mission of universal service," said CEO Shirley Bloomfield. "As traditional telecommunications revenues decline, the assessment on the remaining consumers of such services increases, resulting in a disproportionate burden on those consumers even though they are not the most significant users of services or beneficiaries of underlying networks. Common-sense reforms like those directed by this legislation will shore up the foundation of universal service funding, spread contribution obligations more equitably among all of those that use and benefit from broadband networks, and ultimately help the low-income and rural consumers and schools, libraries, and rural health care facilities that depend on critical universal service programs."