Public Knowledge
How To Build a Connected Future: Prioritizing Accuracy, Affordability, and Workforce Development
A common restaurant principle—“Accuracy over speed”—should guide our country’s broadband funding initiatives, particularly the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, both now and in the future. Recently, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing titled, “From Introduction to Implementation: A BEAD Program Progress Report,” and while some lines of questioning seemed to grasp at straws, there were important points that should be revisited in future hearings.
A Sustainable Path Toward Digital Equity Must Prioritize Broadband Affordability Assistance
The process of creating effective, pro-consumer policies is often filled with opportunities, challenges, and ambiguity. The process has been no different for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which allowed 23 million low-income households an opportunity to reliably connect to affordable high-speed internet.
The Road to Digital Discrimination Is Paved With Good Intentions: Why Universal Service Depends Upon a Disparate Impact Standard
Rural areas, low-income communities and individuals, and racial and ethnic minorities still often have less access to quality, affordable broadband.
Public Knowledge Welcomes New Policy Analyst To Bolster Policy Efforts
Public Knowledge is pleased to announce one addition and two changes to our staff. First, Public Knowledge welcomes Morgan Wilsmann, Policy Analyst, to the team. Ms. Wilsmann will focus her policy work on content moderation and platform regulation. Prior to joining Public Knowledge, Ms.
How the FCC Can Lower Broadband Costs and Increase Consumer Choice for Apartment Residents
In March 2024, the Federal Communications Commission circulated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, or NPRM, seeking input on how to best “lower costs and address the lack of choice for broadband services available to households in apartments, condos, public housing, and other multi-tenant buildings.” Public Knowledge and 30 other organizations
Public Interest Groups Urge FCC To Lower Broadband Costs, Increase Consumer Choice for Apartment Residents
The Federal Communications Commission may propose rules and seek public comment on how to best lower costs and address the lack of choice for broadband services available to households in apartments, condos, public housing, and other multi-tenant buildings. Thirty-one organizations wrote to the FCC to express their support for opt-out of bulk billing arrangements.
How the FCC Can Safeguard Broadband Affordability Initiatives Without Rate Regulation
On April 25, the Federal Communications Commission will vote to reinstate the net neutrality rules and resume real regulatory oversight over broadband. It is critical that the text of this reinstated regulatory framework does not inadvertently undermine its own objectives in regards to broadband affordability.
Public Interest Groups Urge Congress To Renew FCC Auction Authority, Fund ACP
On March 21, Public Knowledge joined 24 other public interest and consumer advocacy groups in a letter to congressional leaders about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The groups urged Congress to renew the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) spectrum auction authority and use some of the projected revenue to help fund the ACP. "Congress has a unique opportunity to advance our national spectrum goals while simultaneously generating sufficient revenue to support the connectivity needs of millions of Americans," said the letter.