Summary Box: FCC To Use Subsidy Fund For Broadband

WHAT THE FCC WILL DO: The Federal Communications Commission plans to overhaul the $8 billion federal program that subsidizes telephone service in rural and poor areas in order to pay for high-speed Internet connections.

THE PROGRAM: The federal program, called the Universal Service Fund, was created to ensure that all Americans have access to a basic telephone line. It is supported by a surcharge on long-distance bills.

THE CHALLENGE: FCC officials say the program needs to be changed to instead pay for tomorrow's communications technology: broadband.