FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's Statement Regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program Rules

This $14.2 billion investment, a byproduct of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is the biggest program we have ever had to help ensure that every family can afford the broadband that is now essential for full participation in modern life." The chairwoman highlighted a number of additions to the Affordable Connectivity Program's rules, including "updated income qualifications" for the program, which "will open the door for more families to receive support." Chairwoman Rosenworcel stressed the importance of outreach to ensure the efficacy of the Affordable Connectivity Program, saying, "In the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Congress provided the agency with the ability to devote resources to outreach efforts designed to enroll eligible households in the Affordable Connectivity Program. To ensure we do this in a targeted and thoughtful way, we are seeking comment on what a grant program to support these outreach efforts should look like." Lastly, the chairwoman highlighted the new consumer protection policies included in the program rules, including rules restricting upselling/downselling practices, limits on credit checks, and a new complaint process specifically for the program. I look forward to working with federal, state, and local partners to identify ways to ensure that those who are eligible have opportunities to enroll with the broadband provider of their choosing.