Lifeline: Bringing Broadband into the 21st Century

[Commentary] In August, Public Knowledge filed comments urging the Federal Communications Commission to modernize its Lifeline program to support broadband Internet access service. On Sept 30, we submitted reply comments to explain that the FCC has overwhelming support to move forward and update the program.

The record in the Lifeline proceeding is impressive. Hundreds of companies; non-profit organizations; and state, local, Tribal, and federal elected officials weighed in with near unanimity that the FCC should update the Lifeline program to help make broadband more affordable for the most vulnerable of Americans. Additionally, there was mostly universal agreement that Lifeline should also continue to support mobile and landline voice services. Now, the hard work begins for the FCC -- sorting through hundreds of comments to determine how best to structure and reform Lifeline to support broadband. We look forward to working with the FCC to bring broadband into the 21st century as an essential service for all Americans.