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UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND - HIGH COST

Program Information

Popular name

UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND - HIGH COST

Program Number

32.002

Program objective

Universal service has been defined by Congress as “an evolving level of telecommunications services . . . taking into account advances in telecommunications and information technologies and services.” 47 U.S.C. 254(c). Universal service support generally is distributed only to eligible telecommunications carriers and must be used “only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended.” 47 U.S.C. 254(e). In addition, policies for the advancement and preservation of universal service must be based on certain principles established by Congress. See 47 U.S.C. 254(b). Consistent with these statutory provisions, the FCC has established the Universal Service Fund, which disburses support for the provision of telecommunications services, as well as other services and facilities (including broadband) for high-cost areas, schools and libraries, rural health care providers, and low-income consumers.

Program expenditures, by FY (2023 - 2025)

This chart shows obligations for the program by fiscal year. All data for this chart was provided by the administering agency and sourced from SAM.gov, USASpending.gov, and Treasury.gov.

For more information on each of these data sources, please see the About the data page.

Additional program information

  1. 2018

    Broadband was deployed to 2,184,054 locations

  2. 2019

    Broadband was deployed to an estimated 2,925,906 locations

  3. 2020

    Broadband will be deployed to an estimated 3,904,500 locations

  4. 2021

    Broadband will be deployed to an estimated 3,934,045 locations

Single Audit Applies (2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F):

For additional information on single audit requirements for this program, review the current Compliance Supplement.

OMB is working with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and agency offices of inspectors general to include links to relevant oversight reports. This section will be updated once this information is made available.

47 CFR Part 54, as well as various FCC orders and instructions on forms for the program.

  1. COMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED, 2, 254, The FCC established the Universal Service Fund (USF) pursuant to section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which requires the preservation and advancement of universal service to be based on certain principles, including access to telecommunications and advanced services for all consumers at just, reasonable and affordable rates. The USF currently consists of four programs that focus on increasing such access for consumers living in high-cost areas, low-income consumers, schools and libraries, and rural health care providers.
  2. 47 U.S.C. § 254.