On February 25, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order establishing the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a $3.2 billion federal initiative to provide low-income households discounts on their internet service bills. The following may be attributed to Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Executive Director Adrianne B. Furniss:

"Recognizing that broadband connectivity is a necessity, Congress and the FCC have created the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program so that some of the most vulnerable in our communities can stay connected. For low-income households, the unemployed, people who've seen a reduction in hours and pay, and students, the Emergency Broadband Benefit will be a lifeline, connecting them to healthcare and COVID-19 vaccinations, to new employment opportunities, to school, to family, and to friends. There is no greater cause than the guarantee of equal opportunity and equal protection under the law. This guarantee allows us the liberty to make the most of our lives, lifting the entire nation. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a first step to including high-speed internet access as an essential part of our social safety net, allowing us all to contribute to building our nation back better than it was before."

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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