Late Friday, the FCC released its 759-page Universal Service Fund (USF) reform order that would create a $4.5 billion "Connect America Fund" to subsidize broadband in rural areas. The new fund would bring high-speed broadband access to seven million Americans in the next six years. The order was released 23 days after the commissioners unanimously voted on the reform. The Order also reforms the intercarrier compensation payment regime, including setting rates for long distance calls carried to and from VoIP providers. And it launches an inquiry into what rules should apply for IP-to-IP data or voice exchanges between companies in the future.

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