FCC is not ruling out steps to expand broadband access

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The head of the Federal Communications Commission left the door open to taking further actions to ensure everyone has broadband access — including price regulation and combating digital redlining. Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said at Politico's Tech Summit that the FCC is “laser-like focused on getting this service to everyone, everywhere,” and that it is trying to take a broader approach to the issue than the agency had in the past. Lawmakers of both parties have lamented the dearth of fast internet service in much of the country. The pandemic laid bare just how poor — or nonexistent — adequate broadband service is in much of the country, across both rural and urban areas and places that fall in between. For others, the problem is having access to broadband that they can afford, something the FCC has been trying to address with the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program Congress authorized in 2020 that offers up to $50 per month to help eligible households buy broadband service. The FCC estimates approximately 5.5 million households are now benefiting from the temporary program. Rosenworcel said that there's also the need to combat "digital redlining," or the practice whereby internet providers invest more money in wealthier consumers or more profitable markets while offering lesser service to low-income consumers.


FCC not ruling out steps to expand broadband access, chair says at POLITICO Tech Summit