The definitely broadband-centric FCC announced Tuesday (Sept. 28) that more than 6 million households have now enrolled in its $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program, just one of several Biden Administration creations to get bucks and broadband to a pandemic-sequestered populace in need of those connections as never before.
The benefit is up to $50 per month toward broadband service for qualifying low-income and disadvantaged households (up to $75 on tribal lands) and a one-time $100 discount on a computer or connected device from participating providers.
Also Read: Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Launches May 12
Almost 1,200 ISPs are participating in the program.
Eligible households are those on SNAP assistance, Medicaid, participants in the Lifeline program* or on a reduced school lunch program, and to those receiving Pell grants or who have suffered a "large" income loss or job loss or furlough due to the pandemic.
Also Read: FCC Circulates EBB Order
Congress provided the funds and some of the mandatory framework, including that participating broadband providers — they include Comcast, AT&T, Mediacom, and Cable One, and Charter — cannot exclude eligible households even if they have past or current delinquent payments.
Also Read: ISPs Prepare for Broadband Bucks to Flow
Households already getting discounted broadband through various broadband operator programs are also automatically eligible for the EBB subsidy, but cannot be automatically enrolled by the broadband provider.
*The Lifeline subsidy is the FCC's existing Universal Service Fund subsidy--about $10 dollars per month--for advanced telecommunications services for low-income residents.
