Comments of R Street Institute
Americans rely on broadband connectivity more than ever. Whether it be a student trying to connect to a virtual class or an office trying to maintain productivity when employees must remain home, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted just how important a reliable broadband connection has become. Fortunately, internet service providers (ISPs) in the United States have done a commendable job adapting to the new reality, ensuring networks remain functional despite a large influx of traffic.[1] [1]
Unfortunately, many Americans cannot realize the benefits of this connectivity. While some still simply choose to forego a broadband connection, the economic realities of the pandemic limit the opportunity for many Americans to maintain or afford to subscribe to a new broadband service.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Act”) supplements the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020 (the “CARES Act”) by providing approximately $900.
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During the first week of 2021, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s or Commission’s) Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) released two Public Notices seeking comment on the Commission’s implementation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 (the Act) as well as the Act’s injection of new funding to the Commission’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program first established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). As we previously explained, Section 904 of the Act appropriates $3.2 billion for the EBB Program to provide subsidies for qualifying low-income households for broadband services and certain devices during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Section 903 of the Act provided an additional $249.95 million into the telehealth program.
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Telecom Alert - Emergency Broadband Benefit Fund; 2.5 GHZ Rural Tribal Priority Window Licenses; IBM Fined More Than $24 Million; Round 2 of COVID-19 Telehealth Program; New FCC Fee Schedule - Vol. XVIII, Issue 2 Monday, January 11, 2021
Emergency Broadband Benefit Fund
Last week, the FCC issued a Public Notice seeking comment on how to best administer a new $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program created by Congress to help low-income consumers access the internet. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 directs the Commission to create the program, which would reimburse companies for providing discounted broadband service and connected devices to eligible households during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participating providers may offer a monthly discount up to $50 per month to eligible households, and up to $75 per month for eligible households on Tribal lands. Participating ISPs also will be reimbursed up to $100 for providing eligible hou