In this edition of the ICORE Blog we report on recent events at the FCC and on Capitol Hill. Please note the following:
- NTIA Internet Use Survey – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a branch of the U.S. Commerce Department, issued a Notice in the Federal Register on June 17, 2025 in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, seeking comments regarding its proposal to add 61 questions to the November, 2025 edition of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS). This collection of questions is known as the NTIA Internet Use Survey and is also referred to as the CPS Computer and Internet Use Supplement. The Notice cites the internet’s immense importance to the nation’s economic prosperity and the importance of accurate information about whether and how Americans use the internet. Further, the Notice states that collecting current and comprehensive information on internet use and non-use by U.S. Households is critical to enabling policymakers to gauge progress made to date and identify specific areas of concern to permit cost-effective responses. In addition, modifying the CPS to include NTIA’s internet use questions will enable the Commerce Department and NTIA to respond to Congressional concerns and directives. The NTIA Survey will be administered by the U.S. Census Bureau as a supplement to the CPS. Data will be collected through personal visits and live telephone interviews using computer-assisted telephone interviewing and computer-assisted personal interviewing. Comments regarding this survey are due August 18, 2025.
- USF Contributions – On June 17, 2025 a Bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives entitled the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act. The Bill would require edge providers to contribute to the FCC’s Universal Fund. In the May 22, 2025 edition of the ICORE Blog we discussed similar legislation that was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The term edge providers typically include a digital advertising service, a search engine, a social media platform, a videoconferencing or video gaming service, and e-commerce platforms. The introduction of the recent House Bill was met with strong statements of support by numerous organizations including US Telecom, WTA, and NTCA.
- FCC Request for Comment regarding End User Charges – On June 11, 2025 the FCC issued a Public Notice inviting interested parties to update the record on issues raised by the Commission’s 2020 NPRM regarding various end-user charges associated with interstate access service offered by incumbent local exchange carriers. The end-user charges in question include the Subscriber Line Charge, the Access Recovery Charge, the Presubscribed Interexchange Carrier Charge, the Line Port Charge, and the Special Access Surcharge. In the 2020 NPRM, the Commission proposed to eliminate ex ante pricing regulation for these end-user charges and required mandatory de-tariffing of the charges. In addition, given that these end-user charges are used to calculate contributions to the USF, the 2020 NPRM proposed ways to provide certainty in calculating such contributions and support to ensure stability for the USF.
The June 11, 2025 Public Notice inviting parties to refresh the record on issues raised in the 2020 NPRM cites the significant changes that have occurred in the past five years including the incumbent local exchange carriers’ loss of market share and the deregulation of local exchange service that has occurred in many states. In addition, the Notice references the Commission’s recent efforts to identify and eliminate outdated and unnecessary regulations. Comments in this proceeding are due 30 days from publication in the Federal Register and Reply Comments are due 45 days from publication.
- New FCC Commissioner – On June 17, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Olivia Trusty as FCC Commissioner to fill the seat of former FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel for the remainder of the term expiring on June 30, 2025. On June 18, 2025, the Senate also confirmed Trusty for a five- year term ending July 1, 2030. Trusty was sworn in as the FCC’s newest Commissioner on June 23, 2025. She joins Chairman Brendan Carr and Anna Gomez on what is now a three-member panel with two additional nominations pending following the departure of Commissioners Nathan Simington and Geoffrey Starks.
