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T-Mobile Joins FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program T-Mobile has announced it is joining the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, to provide low-cost service. The FCC announced its Emergency Broadband Benefit program will start on May 12. The program is designed to provide a discount of up to $50 ($75 on tribal lands) to help low-income families have access to broadband internet. High-speed internet access is more important than ever, as countless individuals work from home and engage in remote learning. T-Mobile has joined the FCC’s program, making its services available under i...

Commentary After nearly four months of work, the FCC's Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) is poised to launch. Nearly 750 providers are qualified to offer EBB-supported services, with discounts of up to $50 per subscriber ($75 in tribal areas) and equipment reimbursement of up to $100 available. The FCC recently conducted a webinar for consumer groups and outreach partners about the program, and USAC has been testing connectivity with eligible providers for the past couple of weeks. Earlier today, the FCC announced that the EBBP will launch on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Providers parti...

Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP, Getty Images Low-income U.S. households can enroll in the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) starting May 12. Spotted by Ars Technica, the agency announced the arrival of its much-needed program Thursday alongside a brand new website. The benefit provides eligible households with a discount of up to $US50 ($65) a month on their broadband plan, and up to $US75 ($97) a month if the household is on tribal lands. The EBB also provides a one-time discount of up to $US100 ($130) on a computer or tablet for eligible households. However, to take advantage...

LongIsland.com Affordability is a key issue in the fight for universal broadband, as many families cannot afford to pay for broadband service in their homes. Photo by: Shutterstock Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has signed legislation establishing the first-in-the-nation requirement for affordable internet for qualifying low-income families, as proposed in the 2021 State of the State. This legislation requires providers operating in New York State to offer $15/month high-speed internet to low-income families across the state. New Yorkers qualifying for this ...

Commentary In March, the FCC and USAC worked hard to stand up the first of three pandemic-related special programs, the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP). Rules for the $3.2 billion EBBP were adopted in February and the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) issued milestones in March for ETC election notices, non-ETC applications and applications to use alternative verification systems. Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel said in mid-March that over 100 applications or election notices were filed (we believe the number is much higher now); clearly the program is attracting a lot of interes...