GAO Highlights $14 Billion Broadband Subsidy Program’s Success And How To Improve

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an essential report AFFORDABLE BROADBAND: FCC Could Improve Performance Goals and Measures, Consumer Outreach, and Fraud Risk Management, written by GAO Director of Infrastructure Andrew Von Ah, a tour de force of 106 pages. To prepare the report, the GAO assessed the Federal Communication Commission Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) program proceedings, outreach materials, and enrollment data; interviewed 27 dozen diverse policy stakeholders, reviewed enrollment fraud risk vis-à-vis the Social Security Administration and the US Postal Service, and audited the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) performance of the program. The ACP has become one the largest and most important programs of broadband adoption ever tried. The GAO report is a treasure trove for policy researchers. Overall, the GAO report makes a positive assessment of the ACP as part of the goal to close the digital divide and its adherence to the timeline stipulated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The GAO compliments the FCC overall on its commitment to continuous improvement, and the report confirms that the ACP fulfills its goal to close the digital divide in a timely fashion and with continuously improving FCC management and performance.

[Roslyn Layton is a Senior Contributor on International Tech Policy for Forbes.]