The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to adopt a program that offers emergency discounts of up to $ 50 a month for broadband internet service for low-income families. The Emergency Broadband Benefits Program also offers up to $ 75 per month for families in American Indian lands and a one-time discount of up to $ 100 on a tablet or computer for those who qualify.
The $ 3.2 billion for the program was approved by Congress in December as part of a $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package. Grants are available to families who are already participating in an ISP’s low-income or pandemic program, Lifeline subscribers, families with children receiving free or reduced meals at school, Pell Grant beneficiaries, people on Medicaid or receiving SNAP social and other benefits that lost their jobs last year, the commission said.
The FCC still needs to create a program to approve applicants for the program and bring Internet service providers on board The New York Times reported.
The lack of a consistent Internet service in the United States was the highlight during the pandemic, as students in low-income areas struggled to participate in virtual classes. The FCC said last year that at least 18 million people in the United States do not yet have reliable home connections to the Internet, but the number is believed to be much higher; the FCC considers a CEP to have broadband if only one house in a census block actually has Internet service.
“This is a program that will help those at risk of digital disconnection,” said FCC acting chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement on Thursday. “This will help anyone who is sitting in a parking lot in a parking lot just getting a Wi-Fi signal to go to work online. This will help those who are outside the library with a laptop just to get a wireless signal for remote learning. “
Rosenworcel said the program will be available in 60 days.