The proposal would cut $7 million, or 40 percent, from the Universal Service Fund. The fund is a tax paid by wireless carriers to pay for new towers in rural areas.

Certain communities in rural Missouri, which were scheduled to get new cell sites next year, may not get them if funds in the program are cut.

In rural Maries County cell phone coverage is spotty, but people said it has been getting better.

"The farther you get down the road the harder it'll get, but once you hit the river, you won't have anything," said cell phone user Ethan Shanks.

Shanks and his family are dairy farmers who have cell phone coverage thanks to towers paid in part by the Universal Service Fund. The fund helps pay for cell towers in areas where some companies may not find it profitable to put one.

"Certain communities in rural Missouri, which were scheduled to get new cell sites next year, may well not get them if funds in the program are cut," said Connecting Rural America spokesperson, David LaFuria.

Emergency responders also benefit from the increased service and rely on cell phones during major disasters.

"We also communicate among one another if we have to, especially in a major disaster area or situation. Radio communication may be down, and so cell phone coverage plays an even bigger role at that point," Gayle Blomenkamp of the Boone County Fire District said.

The FCC is no longer taking public comment on the issue, and won't say when a decision will come.