The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the launch of a program to fund consumer discounts on broadband services and equipment.
According to an Order issued by the FCC in mid-May, the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will offer consumers discounts of up to $50 per month on their broadband services, as well as a one-time $100 discount on the purchase of a laptop, desktop, or tablet computer from participating providers. The discounts are available until the $3.2 billion in federal funding has been exhausted, or six months after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Households can qualify for the discounts available under the Program through their use of existing assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline, or if a child in the household relies on a reduced-price school meals program. The discounts are also available to low-income households who suffered a large loss of income since February 29, 2020 due to job loss or furlough during the pandemic.
Read the FCC’s Order regarding its Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.
