Everyone Needs Broadband. Now More Low-Income Americans Will Be Able to Afford It

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took a landmark step toward President Barack Obama's ConnectALL goal of getting 20 million more Americans online by 2020 by approving a national subsidy to help low-income Americans pay for broadband. These changes to the FCC’s Lifeline program will help millions more Americans get online at a price they can afford, and open up the market for more competition to serve their connectivity needs.

In today’s digital age, connectivity is opportunity. Those on the wrong side of the digital divide have a tougher time getting the skills they require for higher-paying jobs, applying to job openings once they have those skills, helping their kids with homework, or even just getting better prices on life’s necessities — even though they’re among those who need it most.That’s why the move by the FCC is so important. There’s more work to do. Today, families that earn less than $25,000 a year are half as likely to have Internet at home than those who are well-off. So earlier in March the President announced ConnectALL: to help mobilize a national effort by the government, private sector, and non-profits to give more Americans access to the affordable broadband, digital literacy tools, and devices they need to open up a world of online opportunity. In just one month, we’ve made real progress. Connecting 20 million more Americans by 2020 is an ambitious goal, but today, the FCC put it well within reach.