Accelerating America: affordability, adoption, access

Solving the country’s broadband challenges will require bold new government action. That’s why Verizon is calling on Congress to take critical steps to further expand broadband access and implement new tools that will enable even more Americans to use the power of the internet, including:

• A new permanent broadband benefit program of $20-$50 per month for low-income recipients as an alternative to Lifeline, the existing program that provides low income consumers a $9.25 discount today. This new benefit would empower vulnerable communities by maximizing people’s ability to choose the services that work best for them.
  • Benefits would be federally funded via government appropriations and placed onto electronic benefit cards that recipients could use just like any customer would use a debit card to purchase broadband service.
  • Recipients could choose what plans, services, or equipment meets their needs, rather than being relegated to a single low-cost tier of service.
  • Streamlined enrollment for recipients to help increase participation.
• Increasing education in digital skills needed to learn, work, and communicate effectively online, including federal support for local, state, and nonprofit organizations that provide digital literacy training and education.
• Support for local and municipal governments to update their systems to make it easier for people to receive the government services they need online.
• Expansion of broadband deployment. New support to build broadband in rural or unserved areas, or in areas where the economics fail to support private deployment.