Moving Beyond Uncertainty: The Future of Universal Service Fund Reform Task Force

Keep Our Communities Connected and the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition launch a Task Force to secure the future of universal service. 

[BROOKLYN, NY] — Keep Our Communities Connected (KOCC) and the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition launched the “Future of Universal Service Fund (USF) Reform Task Force” on Friday, April 10, 2026. This cross-sector initiative aims to inform ongoing bipartisan and bicameral policy debates on the long-term sustainability of universal service programs that support broadband access for schools, libraries, rural communities, health providers, and low-income households. Chairing the Task Force are former FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Rachelle Chong. 

As digital connectivity becomes increasingly fundamental to education, health, and economic opportunity, the traditional mechanisms for funding universal service programs are becoming increasingly unstable. The Task Force will provide a forum for senior leaders across telecommunications, public and civil service, academia, industry and trade associations, and policymakers to move towards a roadmap for the future. With the launch of the Congressional bipartisan and bicameral Universal Service Fund Working Group last June, we intend to deliver our final set of policy principles and recommendations to working group members for their consideration. 

"The challenges facing our nation’s digital infrastructure are too complex for any one sector to solve in isolation," said Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU. "This uncommon alliance represents a breakthrough in how we approach the future of connectivity. By bringing together diverse perspectives—often from opposite sides of the table—we are not just identifying the gaps in our current system; we are charting a pragmatic, sustainable path forward for Universal Service reform. Our goal is to ensure that every community, regardless of geography or income, has the essential tools to thrive in a 21st-century economy."

"This Task Force comes at a critical moment. Last June's Supreme Court ruling in SHLB v. Consumers' Research, which upheld the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund, should encourage schools, libraries, and healthcare providers to now demand a modernized and improved USF. Congress and the FCC must strengthen the current contribution system with an approach that broadens the funding base and provides lasting support for these essential programs," said Joseph Wender, Executive Director of SHLB. "Without sustained funding for internet connectivity, our nation's schools, libraries, and healthcare providers will struggle to fulfill their core missions: educating students, connecting patrons to vital resources, and delivering care to patients who need it most. I am proud to join this broad coalition of stakeholders committed to strengthening universal service for the communities that depend on it."

The Task Force aims to operate on a consensus basis over the summer, focusing on:

• Stabilizing USF Programs: Evaluating policy options, including long-term funding predictability and sustainability, the role of appropriations, contribution models, and accountability measures.

• Broadening the Coalition: Engaging a diverse ecosystem of leaders from public interest advocacy organizations, telecommunication and trade associations, and academia.

• Operationalizing the Sustainability: Translating abstract policy goals into a final set of principles and recommendations to guide the Congressional Universal Service Fund Working Group. 

The Task Force will conclude its work with a public announcement of its findings and a convening in Washington, D.C. to present a forward-looking roadmap for universal service connectivity.

Task Force Chairs

Rachelle Chong served as Commissioner of the FCC from 1994 to 1998 and as a member of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) from 2006 to 2009. During her tenure at the FCC, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was signed into law, and Chong helped shape and vote for the initial E-rate program. As a member of the CPUC, she implemented the first state broadband infrastructure program for unserved or underserved communities and helped obtain funding for the first telehealth organization in California. Chong, a California regulatory lawyer, now provides strategic consulting and legal advice to telecommunications and technology companies, as well as non-profit organizations engaged in Digital Divide work. organizations.   She served as Chairwoman and Board Member of SHLB in the recent past.

Mignon Clyburn previously served as Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 2009 to 2013 and as Chairwoman from 2013 to 2018. During her tenure at the FCC, Clyburn pushed for the agency’s modernization of the Lifeline program, advocated for diversity in media ownership, and initiated Inmate Calling Services reforms. Following the FCC, she served on President Biden’s 2020 presidential transition team, and now serves as President of MLC Strategies, LLC, a consulting firm providing strategic advice for technology, media, and telecommunications companies. 

About Keep Our Communities Connected

Keep Our Communities Connected (KOCC) is an uncommon alliance of rural communities, school districts, nonprofits,  businesses, tech companies, and public service organizations, united in their efforts to protect and ensure the continuation of universal service funds. We advocate for affordable and reliable telecommunications access for all, emphasizing its role in bridging the digital divide, fostering economic growth, and connecting communities.

About the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition

The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C., and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.