NECA introduces discount broadband programs to aid students in low-income households

NECA is introducing two temporary discount programs to help rural phone and internet providers recognize the needs of students in low-income households for broadband services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The filing, effective Oct 1, will allow carriers to facilitate prolonged at-home student learning by helping low-income households access much needed higher bandwidths or those without broadband access to acquire it. The programs will allow companies to offer:

• a temporary discount on certain new broadband services or
• a speed upgrade at no additional charge on certain existing broadband service from 1/6 to 50/100 Mbps (asymmetric digital subscriber line) or from 10/10 to 100/100 Mbps (symmetric digital subscriber line).

Households with a student in grades kindergarten through 12 who qualify for a reduced cost or free lunch through the National School Lunch Program are eligible. A 25% discount applies to monthly recurring rates for the following services. In addition, access order and non-recurring installation charges are waived for these promotional offerings. No minimum service periods or term commitment penalties apply. ADSL and SDSL lines in service under this promotional offering may be counted toward the DSL Volume Pricing Plan.