Free Press and Access Now Urge FCC To Make Emergency Broadband Benefit Easily Accessible

Free Press and Access Now filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission urging strong and rapid implementation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit program established by Congress in the latest pandemic relief package. The EBB program offers a monthly benefit of up to $50  to low-income families and those financially impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. The benefit would help cover the cost of any broadband plan offered by participating internet providers. For a low-cost plan, this benefit could offset the entire price charged to a customer, or offer a significant discount on a higher-tier internet service offering. Congress directed the FCC to implement the EBB program quickly, and within sixty days of the law’s late December passage. Free Press and Access Now echo that call in today’s comments, while also urging the FCC to ensure its implementation promotes broad eligibility, ease of use, and public transparency.