Utah Could Hike USF Flat Fee

Utah could nearly double its connections-based USF surcharge to 71 cents from 36 cents per access line monthly, effective Dec. 29. The Utah Public Service Commission distributed the proposal Wednesday. “The increase in the surcharge is necessary to ensure the [Utah USF] can meet statutory obligations while remaining within policy norms,” said the PSC. Chair Thad LeVar said the increase will ensure the fund has sufficient balance to pay three months of disbursements without incurring a deficit and that telecom carriers have predictable funding for networks. The PSC sought comments by Dec. 15 (docket 23-R008-01). Utah switched to a connections-based contribution mechanism in 2018.