Helping eligible households with access to broadband
One year into the pandemic and there are still families who cannot get their children on reliable WiFi for school. The digital divide caused by economic disparity continues to grow. According to the Federal Communications Commission’s Eighth Broadband Progress Report, they found that “approximately 19 million Americans—6 percent of the population—still lack access to fixed broadband service at threshold speeds.” Although this has greatly affected the rural population in particular, in places where there is broadband access there are still millions of Amercians who do not subscribe.
Recently on February 25th, the Wireline Competition Bureau announced the launch of their Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. It is a $3.2 billion federal initiative created to help eligible households lower the cost of high- speed internet during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. This program will allow families to connect on their virtual schooling and work. Jessica Rosenworcel, previously a strong Democatic commissioner, now President Biden’s elected Acting Chairwoman, has long believed the importance of closing in the homework gap since March 2020. She comments “This is a program that will help those at risk of digital disconnection. It will help those sitting in cars in parking lots just to catch a Wi-Fi signal to go online for work. It will help those lingering outside the library with a laptop just to get a wireless signal for remote learning. It will help those who worry about choosing between paying a broadband bill and paying rent or buying groceries.”
A high school student who receives Comcast’s Internet Essential’s program said, “The Comcast wifi is especially fast and I barely experience any technical difficulties. With online school, it is very convenient as I did not have to worry about possible technical difficulties when attending classes, doing homework, or taking tests.” With the FCC implementation of their Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, it will help more students like her not feel worried about losing connection while attending class, doing homework, or taking tests.
In order to be eligible for this program, one member of the household must either qualify for Lifeline programs or be on Medicaid or accept SNAP benefits, have kids who receive free reduced-price lunch or school breakfast, receive a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year, experience a substantial income lost since February 29, 2020, or meet the eligibility requirement for other COVID-19 programs.
Eligible households can receive a discount of up to $50 per month towards their broadband services, and for households on Tribal lands, families can receive a discount of up to $75 per month for their broadband service. In addition to the discounts on broadband, this program also gives a one-time discount of up to $100 for families to purchase a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet from participating providers, if the household pays $10-$50 towards the total cost. Every household can get one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Although this program has been authorized by the FCC, the start date has not been determined, as the FCC is working on how to make these benefits available. In order to stay posted on programs updates, please check their website: https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit. Rosenworcel said “this program can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across the country. That’s why our work is already underway to get this program up and running, and I expect it to be open to eligible households within the next 60 days as providers sign up and program systems are put in place. I have confidence in our staff that we will do this carefully, swiftly and the right way.”
