Consumer Reports and Access Now Call for FCC to Expand Broadband Access in Response to COVID-19 Crisis

Consumer Reports and Access Now are calling on the Federal Communications Commission to immediately expand broadband internet access for people struggling during the COVID-19 crisis. The organizations are filing petitions at the FCC signed by more than 63,000 concerned citizens. The petitions call for the FCC and Congress to support an expansion of the Lifeline program that provides a discount for broadband internet service to qualifying low-income consumers.

“Millions of people in the United States must stay home in order to limit the spread of COVID-19, and without internet access, communities at risk who were already struggling economically will be hit the hardest by this national emergency. It is up to you to ensure that everyone can afford critical communication services during this devastating crisis.  Unfortunately, the current pandemic has exposed just how pervasive and persistent the digital divide is in 2020.”