Chairman Wheeler: Internet subsidies for poor coming in ‘not too distant future'

The Federal Communications Commission will finish up rules in the “not to distant future” to help subsidize Internet service for low-income Americans, according to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. The FCC started work in 2015 to update Lifeline, the program that now only offers subsidies for traditional voice-only phone service. The update has faced resistance from Republicans who point to lingering inefficiencies in the $1.7 billion program.

“The first principle of Lifeline reform is allowing the program to support both fixed and mobile broadband service,” Chairman Wheeler said during a speech Feb 3. “We will propose having minimum standards of service that Lifeline providers must deliver to receive funds.” The FCC has not yet defined a minimum standard of service for service providers, like Comcast or Verizon, to join. Chairman Wheeler also said the FCC would have to make it easier for Internet service providers to join the program and would need to encourage low-income individuals to actually sign up. He also applauded companies like Comcast or Google, which have offered discounted private programs. Chairman Wheeler finally pointed to other government efforts — like New York’s plan to connect the city through hotspots or the Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) effort to build low-income housing with Internet connections.