The St. Mary’s County Government announces the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The temporary benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In its latest effort to block West Des Moines partnership with Google to bring high-speed Google Fiber internet to the city s residents, internet provider Mediacom is seeking a federal review of what the company alleges are the city s discriminatory rights-of-way management practices.
Mediacom said in news release that it filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission alleging the city is imposing discriminatory burdens on other internet and telecommunications service providers by granting Google Fiber exclusive authorization to install cables on land throughout the city.
The filing claims that the city also is offering other benefits that allow Google Fiber to deploy its network far more cheaply and efficiently than other internet service providers, and is distorting the communications competition in the city by granting Google an exclusive subsidy.
Alden Systems, McLean Engineering Team Up to Bridge the Digital Divide
An industry-first solution that helps utilities, cooperatives, and municipalities effectively act on state and federal funding earmarked for rural broadband deployment.
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ McLean Engineering recently contracted with Alden Systems, creating a partnership aimed at helping to solve one of our nation s most pressing problems: the overwhelming lack of broadband in rural areas. According to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) report, approximately 19 million Americans 6 percent of the population still lack access to fixed broadband service at threshold speeds. In rural areas, nearly one-fourth of the population 14.5 million people lack access to this service. As recent federal funding through programs like the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and Connect America Fund provide cash infusions intended to propel ru
There program also offers a one-time $100 subsidy to help families buy a new laptop, desktop computer or tablet.
The FCC said Wednesday that eligible households may now apply for the program, available while funding lasts or until six months after the pandemic ends.
How to qualify
Households that qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, Lifeline, Pell Grants or free and reduced school lunches may apply.
Those with a substantial loss of income from a job loss or reduced hours since Feb. 29, 2020, may also qualify.
There is an income limit, however. Single applicants may qualify with 2020 income at or below $99,000, and the cut-off for married couples is $198,000.