Low-income

Metro by T-Mobile has joined the Federal Communications Commission’s new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Doing so enables the company to offer free service. Beginning January 27, qualifying new and existing low-income Metro by T-Mobile subscribers are eligible for free wireless service with high-speed smartphone data. Eligible subscribers also can get as much as $30 off all Metro by T-Mobile smartphone plans with data or as much as $75 for those on Tribal lands. All those subscribing to the offerings will have access on the carrier’s 5G network and Scam Shield security.

As of October 2021, the majority of people in AT&T’s 21-state footprint were not aware of the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. According to a survey conducted by Recon Analytics on behalf of AT&T, 55% of consumers were not aware of the EBB program. Recon Analytics used Qualtrics to conduct the online survey, which garnered more than 10,000 respondents. Only 12% of respondents were aware of the program and had applied for EBB benefits.

Cleveland’s twin problems of poverty and broadband access have made it the most disconnected major city in the country.

Facebook says it’s helping millions of the world’s poorest people get online through apps and services that allow them to use the internet data-free. Internal company documents show that many of these people end up being charged in amounts that collectively add up to an estimated millions of dollars a month. To attract new users, Facebook made deals with cellular carriers in countries including Pakistan, Indonesia and the Philippines to let low-income people use a limited version of Facebook and browse some other websites without data charges.

This $14.2 billion investment, a byproduct of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is the biggest program we have ever had to help ensure that every family can afford the broadband that is now essential for full participation in modern life." The chairwoman highlighted a number of additions to the Affordable Connectivity Program's rules, including "updated income qualifications" for the program, which "will open the door for more families to receive support." Chairwoman Rosenworcel stressed the importance of outreach to ensure the efficacy of the Affordable Connectivity Program, sayi

The rules repeatedly affirm our decision to spend that money in ways that advance our digital equity goals. I am proud that my colleagues adopted my recommendation to commit to deploying the new tools Congress gave us with 'particular emphasis on reaching people of color, persons with disabilities, persons who live in rural or Tribal areas, and others who are or have been historically unserved, marginalized, or adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.' I intend to make sure we follow through on that commitment.

For the most part, I am very satisfied with the resulting order, which incorporated extensive feedback from all commissioners’ offices, industry, and other groups outside of the FCC.

Federal Communications Commissioners Nathan Simington and Brenden Carr have used their positions as leaders of a federal agency to dehumanize and disrespect the immigrant community. At the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), we believe that no human is illegal and that every person deserves dignity and respect. As such, we condemn the Commissioners’ comments and statements following the release of the Affordable Connectivity Program rules and call for higher standards of morality, empathy, and humanity from those who sit on the FCC.

As Congress found in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband is essential to full participation in modern life in the United States. The aim of the Affordable Connectivity Program is to ensure broadband is affordable for any household no matter its income. Although the Federal Communications Commission has met an incredibly tight timeline to adopt rules and launch the new Affordable Connectivity Program, there is still a great deal of work to be done. Here's a quick look at what remains on the FCC's agenda.

Despite having just 60 days to create rules for the Affordable Connectivity Program, the Federal Communications Commission’s Report and Order represents an impressive effort to protect consumers. The rules deftly balance the tricky transition from the Emergency Broadband Benefit to the Affordable Connectivity Program by preventing the most vulnerable consumers from experiencing bill shock while maintaining the ease of enrollment for those who have demonstrated their ability or desire to pay for broadband. Unfortunately, although device access remains key to closing the digital divide and in