[20200604]IF11520_普遍服务基金和新冠肺炎：FCC和行业响应.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated June 4, 2020The Universal Service Fund and COVID-19: The FCC and Industry ResponseThe need for social distancing, due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has led to an increase in remote working, distance learning, and telemedicineactivities that depend on connectivity to the telecommunications and broadband network. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its Universal Service Fund (USF) programs are viewed by some as avenues to address this growing need. The FCC has taken steps to expand and modify three of the USF programs: the Lifeline Program; the Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program; and the Rural Health Care Program, in response to the pandemic and to address various aspects of social distancing. The FCC and the Universal Service Fund The USF was established in 1997 under the authority of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-104) to facilitate the deployment and adoption of fixed and mobile telecommunications and broadband services. The FCC is responsible for establishing USF policies and oversees the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), an independent not-for-profit organization tasked wi