• FCC Launches Affordable Connectivity Program [Telecom]

    From Sean Murphy@21:1/5 to All on Mon Jan 3 17:03:24 2022
    Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Transitions to New Affordable
    Connectivity Program

    --

    WASHINGTON, December 31, 2021--In accordance with Congressional
    directives in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Federal Communications Commission today officially launched the Affordable
    Connectivity Program, the $14.2 billion successor program to the
    Emergency Broadband Benefit which helped almost 9 million afford
    internet access during the pandemic. As of today, eligible households
    are encouraged to apply to receive up to $30 per month discount toward
    internet service and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying
    Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount
    of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than
    $50 toward the purchase price.

    "The response to the Emergency Broadband Benefit proved what many knew
    to be true: the cost of high-speed internet is out of reach for too
    many of us," said FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel. "Now with the long-term Affordable Connectivity Program, we have the opportunity to enroll
    even more households and help ensure they can afford the internet
    connections they need for work, school, health care and more for
    years." A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity
    Program if a member of the household meets at least one of the
    criteria below:

    * Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty
    guidelines;

    * Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid,
    Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;

    * Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian
    Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution
    Program on Indian Reservations;

    * Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price
    school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including
    through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020,
    2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;

    * Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or

    * Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's
    existing low-income program.

    Rest of press release:

    https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-378908A1.pdf

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