Reactions to FCC Adopting Emergency Broadband Benefit Order

On Feb 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.

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."

Free Press Vice President of Policy and General Counsel Matt Wood: “While we’ll need more time to review the order in full, it’s great to see the new FCC moving ahead right on time to deliver the promises the Emergency Broadband Benefit program brings. As the pandemic nears its one-year mark, it’s only gotten harder for many people to afford essential internet connections to the remote learning, work and health-care services they need. As Free Press has documented, affordability is the biggest yet most-often overlooked obstacle in overcoming the digital divide. Some 77 million people in this country lack adequate broadband services, which is a particular hardship at a time when a robust home connection is such a lifeline. And this digital divide is far worse for the Black, Brown and Indigenous communities that have been hit hardest by COVID. 34 percent of Black people, 35 percent of Latinx people and 41 percent of Indigenous people lacked wired connections at home even before the pandemic started. The FCC’s order takes important strides to lower barriers to participation by eligible households and expand the choices available to them. It allows recipients to verify eligibility without the intrusive and exclusionary step of requiring a Social Security number, letting people use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers or other types of documentation instead. It also clarifies that ISPs can accept benefit reimbursements for any plan they offer. And it directs the agency to work with internet providers, local governments, schools, community groups and other digital-inclusion advocates to promote awareness of the program and assist with enrollment. Speed is of the essence with this program. Congress could have passed the EBB six months earlier had Mitch McConnell’s Senate taken up and voted on the bills the House passed in May and July instead of waiting until 2020 was almost over. Yet now that the law is in place, we’re pleased to see the FCC moving forward on an accelerated timeline to get money for broadband into the hands of disconnected people as soon as possible.”

Access Now U.S. Policy Manager Eric Null: “The importance and impact of bringing the EBB program online cannot be understated. While we are saddened the FCC did not incorporate all of our proposals, codifying these rules is a huge step toward ensuring this money can quickly get into the hands of those most in need of it, especially Black and Indigenous communities of color. We look forward to seeing the program succeed.”

Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for Consumer Reports: “Too many Americans are not able to access or afford broadband. This is especially true for people who’ve lost their jobs or can’t find regular work since the coronavirus shuttered many businesses. Standing up the Emergency Broadband Benefit program is the first step of many that need to be taken to make internet service more affordable for Americans. If it wasn’t glaringly important before, the pandemic has confirmed the vital need of a broadband internet connection — one that is reliable, affordable, and for some of us, simply available. Finally, with many consumers dependent upon leasing a modem or router from their internet service provider, we are pleased the FCC confirmed the benefit will cover those charges—which can exceed $10 a month—as well."

Francella Ochillo, executive director of Next Century Cities: “Last year, local officials were desperate for the FCC to provide connectivity solutions that lived up to the moment. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is one step towards fulfilling that promise. It will help low-income households overcome one of the most persistent barriers to adoption — affordability. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is the type of response that communities nationwide need and deserve. Standing up this program is one of many critical steps that the FCC must employ in its campaign towards universal broadband connectivity."

Jenna Leventoff, Senior Policy Counsel at Public Knowledge: “After living through both a pandemic forcing us to stay home as well as a recession forcing many to choose between their broadband service or feeding their families, yesterday’s rules bring those in need one step closer to affordable connectivity during this crisis by implementing a $50 broadband subsidy program for those experiencing financial pain. Schoolchildren shouldn’t have to go to McDonald’s for Wi-Fi to do homework. We applaud the FCC for making the application process easy on consumers, who may struggle with providing eligibility documentation due to closed administrative offices, the burdens of juggling childcare and work, and a lack of broadband access. Allowing consumers to ‘self-certify’ will enable more people to more quickly obtain support while also ensuring that the subsidy can benefit everyone that Congress intended it to benefit.  We also appreciate the Commission’s recognition that not every household is a single family home. The flexibility to allow support for those who live in nursing homes, dormitories, or other group settings to qualify as households will help reach more low-income families, including Black, Latinx, and Indigenous peoples. The nightmare may not be over, but this subsidy should provide some light at the end of the tunnel for low-income consumers bearing the brunt of this recession. We look forward to the FCC setting up the application process over the next 60 days to help consumers get the broadband relief they so desperately need. We also urge Congress and the FCC to create a $50 long-term subsidy that increases periodically to connect low-income consumers, for as the pandemic has shown, broadband is an essential service for us all.”

Joan Marsh, AT&T Executive Vice President of Federal Regulatory Relations: “Keeping our communities connected and working to close the digital divide is a top priority. We support the FCC’s efforts to quickly develop a program that will enable more Americans to afford broadband connectivity during this unprecedented time.  Encouraging participation in the Emergency Broadband Benefit program will be key to its success, and we commend the Commission for creating rules that will enable low-income households, such as our Access by AT&T customers, to automatically qualify for the benefit. The steps taken in this Order will help close the broadband gap, and we look forward to working with Congress and others to identify permanent and sustainable funding solutions for Universal Service programs.”

Comcast EVP, federal affairs, Mitch Rose: “We commend Congress for providing a targeted broadband benefit and the FCC for adopting rules today to implement this program. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a welcome step in getting assistance directly to those in need during this pandemic and we plan to participate in the effort. For a decade, our Internet Essentials program has connected low-income Americans to the Internet, and this new federal program will further that goal.”

CTIA SVP regulatory affairs Scott Bergmann: “We commend Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the FCC for establishing the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Timely implementation of this program is essential to keeping low-income households connected during this challenging time. The wireless industry looks forward to working with the FCC to ensure eligible consumers across the country can apply this important benefit to mobile wireless services.”

ACA Connects President Matt Polka: “We are pleased that the Commissioners were able to find common ground on rules that will promote swift access to robust broadband services for households that are struggling financially during COVID-19. We are particularly encouraged by public statements suggesting that the Order takes steps to promote participation in this program from small and rural wireline providers that are often the only source of robust connectivity in their communities."

Competitive Carriers Association President Steven K. Berry: “I commend the Commission for unanimously approving the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which will give discounts to qualifying households on their internet service bills and the opportunity to receive discounts on devices – which are so essential in today’s world," said "All Americans, particularly those in rural areas, need and deserve access to critical mobile broadband services and devices, and the Commission’s act is certainly a good step toward closing the digital divide.”

Jonathan Spalter, president of USTelecom: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. It is great to see the FCC move with lightning fast speed to stand up Congress’ $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program with unanimous bipartisan agreement. This was a program that could not wait, so while we still need a permanent solution to close the digital divide, this is an important development and will bring critical connectivity assistance to students and others affected by the pandemic.”


Reactions to FCC Adopting Emergency Broadband Benefit Order AT&T Statement on the Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit Free Press Welcomes FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Plan Consumer Reports applauds FCC’s implementation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to help connect underserved families Benton Applauds Creation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program FCC Saluted for Emergency Broadband Benefit Vote (Multichannel News) Public Knowledge Celebrates FCC Action To Connect the Vulnerable With New $50 Broadband Subsidy