2021 Reflections: Notes from FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel reflected on the accomplishments of the agency in 2021. The chairwoman highlighted a number of programs, funding opportunities, auctions and new initiatives enacted by the FCC, including:

• The new Emergency Broadband Benefit program was set up in record time and provides eligible households with discounts to pay for monthly broadband service, in addition to a one-time discount off a computer or a tablet.
• The new Emergency Connectivity Fund reimburses schools and libraries for the purchase of laptop and tablet computers and Wi-Fi hotspots, as well as broadband connections for students, school staff, and library patrons.
• The FCC has announced more than $208 million to health care providers in each state, territory, and the District of Columbia through what is known as Round 2 of our COVID-19 Telehealth Program.
• The FCC has put serious effort into remedying the problem of unrepresentative broadband maps and improving the data used for decision-making, consistent with the requirements of the Broadband DATA Act.
• The FCC launched a successful auction of 100 megahertz of prime, mid-band spectrum in the 3.45 GHz band.
• The FCC launched a new window for low-Earth orbit broadband satellite applications, proposed updates to our rules for processing these applications, and for the first time ever, dedicated specific spectrum for the growing amount of commercial space activity.

Read Chairwoman Rosenworcel's full reflections here.