Keep USF Fair Coalition

The Keep Universal Service Fund Fair Coalition is committed to keeping the Universal Service Fund collection method fair. Organized in April 2004, the Coalition has grown into an organization of more than 150,000 individuals and more than 20 organizational members and supporters.

The Coalition supports a sustainable, effective and fair Universal Service Fund that meets the goals of assuring affordable telephone service for all Americans. We believe Congress should conduct a top-to-bottom review of the USF distributions, to make sure the system spends the hard-earned tax dollars of the American consumer efficiently. Any changes to the USF contribution methodology -- for distribution and collection -- must protect the most vulnerable consumers: seniors, rural Americans, minorities, and Americans with disabilities.

Because telephones are a vital link in everyday American life, it has been our nation's policy to promote telephone service to all households since this service began in the 1930s. The USF was first established to help make phone service affordable and available to all Americans, including consumers with low incomes and to those living in areas where the costs of providing telephone service is high. It was expanded in the 1990's to help schools and libraries and rural health care providers get access to telecommunications services. Congress has mandated that all telephone companies providing interstate service must contribute to the USF and most companies pass their contribution costs on to customers. Big businesses and everyday consumers like you all pay a USF tax, which is a percentage of your long distance usage. You can find the USF fee in the form of a line item, often called the "Federal Universal Service Fee" or "Universal Connectivity Fee" on your telephone bill. Find out exactly what's at stake.