FCC Launches 'Connect America Fund'

The FCC officially launched the new 'Connect America Fund' (CAF), which was recently created as part of reform of the Universal Service Fund (USF). Last October, the Commission unanimously voted to reform and modernize USF to help connect every American to high-speed Internet by the end of the decade. Up to $300 million in savings from these and prior reforms will be targeted to quickly extend high-speed Internet to up to 400,000 previously unserved homes, business and anchor institutions in rural America. The FCC expects approximately 500 carriers serving more than 2 million lines across the country to get more funding for broadband.