In order to move quickly but also deliver a successful and efficient Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, the Commission should make its decisions with the following principles in mind:

• Use Existing Resources: Over the past few years, the Commission has made significant changes to Lifeline to verify eligibility and this updated structure provides a solid springboard for this new program—look first to it. Verifying eligibility with the new criteria will be one of the most important parts of the new program. The Commission and USAC have already undertaken a significant amount of work to establish the Lifeline National Eligibility Verifier and National Lifeline Accountability Database. The Commission should use them as the primary federal tool for providers to verify participants in all states—a “one stop shop” for providers who choose to use this service to determine eligibility. While the statute permits providers the flexibility of using alternative methods for verifying eligibility, to encourage broad participation and minimize administrative roadblocks, the Commission should be clear that providers have the option of relying solely on the National Verifier for this purpose.
• Keep it Simple: USTelecom members are eager to do their part, but participating inevitably requires implementation work, from IT systems development to call center training. If the program becomes complex, the implementation timeline will grow, ultimately delaying when customers can take advantage of the broadband benefit. Complexity could also discourage broad participation by providers. Clear compliance guidelines that recognize the unique nature and circumstances of the program are also critical. The simpler the Commission can make the program to implement the more effective it will be.
• Build Flexibility into Program Implementation: Given the emergency nature of this program, broadband providers will also be doing the internal work required to participate concurrently, so they will require some level of flexibility and optionality to adapt it to their existing plans and systems. Providing that flexibility will maximize participation and help ensure consumers receive the benefits Congress intended.
• Plan for Transitions from the Outset: It is important to plan now for how providers will transition into and out of the program. As there is a finite amount of money that will last an indeterminate amount of time, it is important for customers and providers alike to understand their responsibilities once the appropriated funding is fully expended.

Frontier Communications has agreed to expand its fiber-to-the-premises network and improve its poor service quality as part of a bankruptcy settlement in California. Frontier committed to deploy fiber to 350,000 homes and businesses within six years on a schedule that would require the first 100,000 by the end of 2022, 250,000 by the end of 2024, and the full 350,000 by year-end 2026. The settlement, filed in late December, is pending approval by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Frontier agreed to the terms with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), a union that represents Frontier employees; The Utility Reform Network (TURN), a consumer-advocacy group; and Cal Advocates, the public advocate office at CPUC. To ensure that Frontier doesn't build only in wealthy areas, the 350,000-location deployment must include 150,000 customer locations where Frontier estimates it would receive less than a 20 percent "internal rate of return." For those 150,000 locations, Frontier will have to consult with the CWA, TURN, Cal Advocates, and tribal government leaders "to discuss the potential areas for deployment, including tribal lands and tribal communities," the settlement says.

State governments around the country responded quickly to the strain on broadband networks during the COVID pandemic. They ramped up their creative problem-solving and increased their coordination with other states and the federal government. At NTIA, we have been a partner in these broadband efforts through our State Broadband Leaders Network (SBLN), a forum for states, territories, and the District of Columbia to come together to share what works, and brainstorm new ideas to bring their citizens online. States have employed varied strategies to help keep Americans connected. Here are some highlights:

• Arizona funded the new Arizona Rural Broadband Development Grant(link is external) and continues to explore building fiber-optic infrastructure(link is external) along its highways.
• Arkansas used CARES Act funding to expand its Arkansas Rural Connect broadband grant program.
• Illinois has awarded $50 million in its first round of its Connect Illinois broadband grant program and has opened up a second round. The state also launched the Illinois Connected Communities program to focus on broadband adoption and digital inclusion efforts.
• Oregon has used CARES Act funding to expand the FCC’s Lifeline phone and Internet discounts through its Oregon Lifeline Program.
• Vermont leveraged CARES Act funding to expand its existing Connectivity Initiative. The funds were focused toward expanding coverage for students, remote workers, and communities with telehealth needs.