@jca While Wikipedia is not usually the best resource, this is pretty straightforward and comprehensive. The Universal Service Fund was implemented in 1996. Those taxes were specifically earmarked to provide low income families and individuals with telecommunications services via the Telecommunications Act (1996).
I have studied this program in the past. Obama did not create this program. It was modified during his presidency to close loopholes and attempt to lower fraud and wasteful spending, however. So it hit the news as his creation because of spin politics.