Throw a Lifeline Across the Digital Divide

[Commentary] While the old adage “content is king” remains true, that content is now being provided by a flood of new entrants, along with traditional media companies. But to take advantage of new, diverse offerings, consumers need access to broadband. For too many Americans, however, broadband remains out of reach. Nearly half of adults with annual incomes of less than $30,000 do not have broadband access at home.

Today, a full three decades after the creation of Lifeline, the program still only funds voice service. It has been stuck in a bygone era since its inception and is in need of serious reform. Over the past few months, I have outlined a vision for changes that I believe are needed to usher the program into the digital era and ensure that we are meeting the statutory directive for universal service. Reforming Lifeline is not going to entirely undo the digital divide, for we need public-private partnerships to address issues other than affordability to encourage broadband adoption. But with carefully calibrated reforms and collaboration between regulators and the industry I believe Lifeline has the potential to become a much more effective tool in tackling this chronic problem. I look forward to working with National Cable & Telecommunications Association and its members to accomplish this result.