The Supreme Court upheld the Federal Communications Commission's multi-billion-dollar mechanism for expanding phone and internet access.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday endorsed the way the Federal Communications Commission funds its multi-billion dollar program to expand phone and broadband internet access to low-income and rural Americans and other beneficiaries.

The US Supreme Court upheld the $8.6 billion Universal Service Fund, the annual slate of subsidies that helps cover the cost of telecom services for low-income people, rural residents, schools and libraries.