Federal Communications Commission	"FCC  XX-XXX"


STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER NATHAN SIMINGTON

Re: 	Report on the Future of the Universal Service Fund, Report, WC Docket No. 21-476.

I am pleased to support the Commission’s statutorily-required report, which thoroughly surveys all aspects of the future of the Universal Service Fund (USF).  I also agree with Commissioner Carr’s sentiments, particularly his emphasis on relating funding for connectivity spending to the network effects enjoyed by companies that depend on universal connectivity—network effects far larger and more scalable than last-mile charges made by home internet service providers.  Another challenge for the USF program is to ensure that, as satellite internet service continues to rapidly improve, USF programs are able to harness its transformative power to ensure that every American, even those in the most remote areas, is able to benefit from access to broadband internet service wherever they live and work.  At a time when Americans look to Congress and the Commission for leadership on modernizing the USF, we must continue to consider what measures will best sustain the system for another generation and avoid expedient but ineffective short-term measures.



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