Social [Affordable High-Speed Internet] Biden announces Affordable Connectivity Program

Arkain2K

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One full school year late for the poor children who had to learn remotely at the local library parking lot or bum off the free wifi at the local fast food restaurants, but it's finally happening.
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Government approves emergency $50 internet subsidy for low-income families
By Stephanie Asymkos | February 26, 2021​
The federal government this week approved an emergency program to provide more money to low-income families for high-speed internet access, finally providing what has become a work and schooling lifeline for many Americans in the pandemic.

“This is a program that will help those at risk of digital disconnection,” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a press release. “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.”

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program called Lifeline that provides a benefit of up to $50 a month for broadband service and up to $75 a month for Tribal area residents. Eligible households can also get a one-time discount of up to $100 for a computer or tablet.

The pandemic has exacerbated the digital divide, with reliable internet a necessity for students learning from a distance and adults logging in for remote work or job searching — routine activities they typically do simultaneously during the week.

Over the past year, advocates have called for more affordable service for low-income families, noting their children could fall further behind in school among other setbacks. Angela Siefer, the executive director of National Digital Inclusion Alliance, a nonprofit, called the benefit “an incredible first step” in the government’s recognition of the divide.

Digital access and use is a tool that, when used successfully by more of us, collectively strengthens our economy, health, education, social and civic participation,” Siefer told Yahoo Money.

Who will qualify?

The program is designed to support American households living at or below the poverty line. The following qualify:
  • Households that participate in an existing low-income or pandemic relief program offered by a broadband provider,
  • Lifeline subscribers, including those that on Medicaid or accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits,
  • Families with children who receive free and reduced-price lunch or school breakfast,
  • Pell grant recipients; and those who have lost jobs and seen their income reduced in the last year,
  • Workers who have lost jobs and seen their income reduced in the last year.

Applications can be submitted electronically or by mail.

How much is the discount?

The previous monthly discount was a $9.25 bill credit, and the new emergency benefit provides up to $50 a month for broadband service and up to $75 a month for Tribal area residents. There is also a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households.

How soon will subsidies roll out?

The FCC estimates qualifying households could see relief within the next two months. Rosenworcel added that “work is already underway” to get the “program up and running.”

“I expect it to be open to eligible households within the next 60 days as providers sign up and program systems are put in place,” she said.

Of all the obstacles Americans have faced in the last year, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said connectivity shouldn’t be one of them.

"I am hopeful that the Emergency Broadband Benefit will support these efforts and serve as a substantial step toward a future where all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable broadband," he said in a statement.
Click to expand...
https://money.yahoo.com/emergency-internet-subsidy-for-low-income-families-162957739.html
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New NY law requires $15/month high-speed Internet access for low-income households
by CNY Central & WHAM Staff | Friday, April 16th 2021​

New York will require Internet service providers to give high-speed Internet access to low-income households at an affordable cost, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at an event in Buffalo Friday morning.

Cuomo signed the Affordable Broadband Bill into law at the Northland Workforce Training Center in Buffalo Friday.

Cuomo said giving more people access to high-quality, affordable Internet was one of the significant conclusions of the Reimagine New York State Commission, which focused on how New York can grow positively after the pandemic abates.

The new law requires all ISPs to offer high-speed Internet to low-income households at a cost of $15 per month. High-speed Internet will include the Internet access itself, as well as any equipment such as a modem and router. This applies to companies including Charter (Spectrum), Altice, Verizon, Frontier, Windstream, and Greenlight Networks.

If a household qualifies for the National School Lunch Program, SNAP benefits, Medicaid, Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption, Disability Rent Increase Exemption, and Utility Affordability Programs, they are eligible for these low-cost high-speed Internet. Cuomo did not say how soon people could apply for the low-cost Internet service option.

"Students are at home trying to learn remotely, there's tele-health issues - people need to have access to good quality Internet," Assembly Majority Leader Crystal People-Stokes said. "I think most people are walking around with a smartphone, but that doesn't mean that they have access to the Internet just because they have a smartphone. I know that there are some people who literally have to bring their children to libraries in order to do homework. Some folks are sitting in parking lots outside of McDonald's and Taco Bell to get access to the WiFi. So the action that was taken this year...is really critical."

A separate partnership is underway with Schmidt Futures and the Ford Foundation for an emergency program called ConnectED NY to provide no-cost Internet access for students in economically disadvantaged school districts through June 2022.

https://13wham.com/amp/news/local/watch-gov-cuomo-makes-an-announcement-in-buffalo
 
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And this is why we hold our Verizon stock.
 
How can I get that price?
 
Jim Eagle said:
The internet shouldn’t be $100+ a month in the first place
Click to expand...

HereticBD said:
High speed is nice, but what about data caps?
Click to expand...

House Lawmakers Question Telecom Giants Over Broadband Price Gouging During A Pandemic | Techdirt

House lawmakers say that telecom giants are exploiting a national health and economic crisis to make an extra buck.

The subject of their ire are broadband usage caps, which we've long made very clear are little more than price gouging of captive customers in uncompetitive US broadband markets. Such restrictions don't manage congestion, aren't technically necessary, and serve no financial function outside of price gouging, given flat rate broadband is already hugely profitable, and "heavy" users can already be bumped to business class tiers.

Broadband caps are a monopolistic toll on captive customers. And while the Trump FCC struck a temporary pinky swear agreement with ISPs to suspend them during the first few months of the pandemic (which many ignored), ISPs like Comcast and AT&T were not only quick to return to the punitive charges, some ISPs like Comcast actively expanded them.

/

For four years, the Trump administration was literally incapable of even acknowledging that US broadband isn't competitive, resulting in mediocre service in nearly every global metric that matters, and some of the highest prices for broadband in the developed world. They similar turned a blind eye as telecom monopolies used a universe of bogus surcharges to jack up the cost of broadband and TV services post sale, a tactic that effectively lets them falsely advertise lower rates.
 
The cost will be passed to other customers.
 
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