The Emergency Broadband Benefit: Implementation and Future Policy Directions

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program stakeholders adopted a variety of positions on specific issues, with attention coalescing around several points:

• Broadband speed benchmark. Some called for a higher benchmark than the Federal Communications Commission 's 2015 25/3 Mbps to enable a wider range of web-based services. Others have voiced concerns that this would require broadband providers to make infrastructure investments not justified by existing demand, or might price low-income subscribers out of the market.
• Technology standards: Commenters sought FCC eligibility rules for inclusion or exclusion of certain technologies to support preferred business or policy goals.
• Eligible providers 
• Participation incentives: Broadband provider participation in the Lifeline program has declined in recent years. Some commenters voiced concerns that providers would not participate in EBB in sufficient numbers unless the FCC provided adequate incentives. Consumer advocates sought FCC support for vigorous outreach and education and simplification of enrollment and eligibility verification procedures.
• Program effectiveness and timelines: Commenters sought clarification of program scope and goals, measures of effectiveness, and reporting requirements to guide implementation and benchmark progress.
• Waste, fraud, and abuse

The Feb 25, 2021, deadline for the FCC to publish EBB program rules may serve to compel FCC policy decisions in a number of key issue areas outlined above. EBB implementation may provide indication of the future direction of federal broadband policy under the Biden Administration. Likewise, the short duration of the program provides a potential opportunity for Congress to assess policy outcomes and consider longer-term changes to FCC USF programs if desired.