Why Low-Cost Devices Matter for Broadband Policy

On May 12, the Federal Communications Commission launched its Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The program was included as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in December 2020 to provide relief during the pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is significant because it seeks to address two of the many challenges facing households with limited monthly incomes: the ability to pay for broadband and connected devices. In my research published by Benton titled “Digital Inclusion and Meaningful Broadband Adoption Initiatives,” I learned that many individuals and families with limited monthly incomes across the country have looked to local organizations in their communities to gain access to affordable broadband service and connected devices. I found that these activities were often part of a four-part strategy to promote digital equity: 

• Providing low-cost broadband
•  Connecting digital literacy training with relevant content and services
•  Making low-cost computers available
•  Operating public access computing centers