Implementation Ideas for $3.2 Billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

A panel was assembled at the Federal Communications Commission to discuss the implementation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit program. Among the panelists were non-profit organizations, service provider associations and service providers. Open items discussed included how to qualify participants for the program, how to maximize service provider competitiveness, and how to prepare for the program phase-out.

Some participants, including Erica Myers, who is Microsoft’s lead on the Airband rural broadband program, suggested that the online process of enrolling in Lifeline may be too difficult and a call center should be created to help people enroll. Mike Romano, senior vice president of industry affairs and business development for NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, said the FCC should use the Lifeline verifier database to certify EBB applicants but said the program needs a self-certification option as well and should include some form of virtual assistance. 

Several panelists said they hoped providers would not restrict EBB participants to lower speed service and several argued that the participants would have the greatest choice if more providers were to join the program. Steve Morris, vice president and deputy general counsel for NCTA—The Internet & Television Association, urged the FCC to establish a single start date for all service providers participating in the EBB program so that the providers would all be on a level playing field. A key concern for multiple panel participants was that there is no clear expiration date for the EBB program. Instead, it will simply end when the money runs out.