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posted by Fnord666 on Saturday March 06 2021, @02:22PM   Printer-friendly

FCC approves $50 monthly internet subsidies for low-income households during pandemic:

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved final rules for a new broadband subsidy program that could help struggling families pay for internet service during the pandemic.

The agency's $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program provides eligible low-income households with up to a $50 per month credit on their internet bills through their provider until the end of the pandemic. In tribal areas, eligible households may receive up to $75 per month. The program also provides eligible households up to $100 off of one computer or tablet.

The congressionally created program is aimed at closing the digital divide, which has become painfully apparent over the past year as millions of Americans have been forced to work and learn remotely. Some have also raised concerns that the digital divide could affect access to the vaccine as signups typically happen online.

[...] Last year, Congress passed a coronavirus relief package that contained provisions for the FCC's new program. And the FCC has established a fresh task force this year to improve the data it collects on broadband availability, which could ultimately help the agency better target its efforts to close the gap.

[...] "This is a program that will help those at risk of digital disconnection," Rosenworcel said in a statement. "It will help those sitting in cars in parking lots just to catch a Wi-Fi signal to go online for work. It will help those lingering outside the library with a laptop just to get a wireless signal for remote learning. It will help those who worry about choosing between paying a broadband bill and paying rent or buying groceries."


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  • (Score: 5, Insightful) by Gaaark on Saturday March 06 2021, @06:59PM

    by Gaaark (41) on Saturday March 06 2021, @06:59PM (#1120856) Journal

    Really, this is just a subsidy to the Internet supply companies: have the government subsidize Internet availability instead of forcing the ISP's to lower their prices thus affecting their profit which they use to lobby the government to lower their taxes...thus making the poor and middle-class pay for the subsidy!

    Give the rich more profit by making the government gain more debt.

    The headline should be "FCC Approves $50 Monthly Internet Profits for ISP's paid for, mostly, by Low-Income and Middle-class Households During Pandemic". Mostly.

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    --- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
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