Local officials question FCC's broadband subsidy proposal
Elected officials in several cities and states aren't completely on board with a US Federal Communications Commission proposal to allow low-income people to purchase broadband service through a program subsidizing voice service. State and local officials from New York, Maryland, Texas and Oregon are among those objecting to parts of the FCC's proposal to allow recipients of the agency's controversial Lifeline program to use a monthly subsidy for broadband instead of mobile or fixed telephone services.
While many of the politicians voiced support for the FCC's goal of subsidizing broadband for poor people, some questioned whether the agency's current plan would force some families to choose between voice and broadband service. The FCC proposal, from May, would continue the Lifeline program's US$9.25 monthly subsidy, allowing recipients to choose whether to use it for broadband or voice service.
Local officials question FCC's broadband subsidy proposal