Podcast: High Stakes in the High Court as Nation Awaits USF Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide the future of the Universal Service Fund (USF) and associated programs such as E-Rate. MCNC has assembled a panel of experts to weigh in on the possible outcomes this ruling may have for connectivity and telecommunications policy in the United States.

On today’s MCNC Community Connect podcast, MCNC Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Director of Client Advocacy James Nester is joined by Phil Emer, MCNC Vice President of Business Development; Jen Leasure, President and CEO of The Quilt; Ray Zeisz, Senior Director of the Technology Infrastructure Lab at the Friday Institute; and Kristen Corra, policy counsel at the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition. This important conversation focuses on the USF and the many “what ifs” of the forthcoming decision in the case of FCC v. Consumers’ Research.

Listen the latest episode here.

So, what’s really at stake? If the Supreme Court affirms the constitutionality of the USF’s funding mechanism, the FCC’s current structure for managing contributions would remain intact. Conversely, if the court rules against the FCC and finds the USF’s funding mechanism unconstitutional, the consequences would be far-reaching. Don’t miss this timely discussion on the profound implications that this ruling may have in this country.

You can listen to this episode on our website, on Apple or Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Archives of previous episodes of MCNC Community Connect also are available. If you have a suggestion for future episode of MCNC Community Connect, please connect with us!

Enjoy the conversation.