Civil Rights, Labor Groups' Recommendations to Correct "Vast Disparities in Access" to Broadband

In a letter to FCC Commissioners, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) joined the Leadership Council on Civil and Human Rights (LCCR), the National Urban League, NAACP and other civil rights organizations to urge the Commission to broaden the reach of broadband access through the Lifeline and Link-Up programs, and to implement the Lifeline pilot projects that were proposed in the National Broadband Plan.

The FCC's current Lifeline and Link-Up programs provide subsidies to low-income households for voice telephone service and equipment. The civil rights groups urged the Commission to expand the program to include broadband, and to take steps to enhance the effectiveness and reach of the programs.

Access to fast, affordable and reliable broadband is imperative for anyone looking to participate in the 21st century economy. As the letter states:

"This access is critically important for success in the job market, especially in a competitive job market where March 2011 unemployment was 8.8 percent, black unemployment was 15.5 percent and Latino unemployment was 11.3 percent Broadband plays a critically important role in all parts of the jobs pipeline — covering job readiness that includes obtaining skills necessary for a job, job placement that includes successfully applying for a job, and job progression that includes retraining for advancing through a job."

The letter suggested several ways that the Commission could improve the access of low-income, minority and other unserved and underserved communities to essential telecommunications services, including high-speed Internet and broadband. Among the suggestions:

• Move quickly to expand Lifeline and Link-Up to support broadband services that can support voice as well as other applications;
• Expand Lifeline and Link-Up to support broadband services this year, and move expediently to initiate broadband pilot projects so that the Commission can restructure Lifeline supports by the end of 2013; and
• Take this opportunity to reevaluate the current distribution of financial support between universal service funds to support low income consumers and programs that support high cost areas.

The pilot programs are an opportunity to consider how a restructured Lifeline program could address many of the factors that impact low levels of broadband subscribership among low-income people. Multiple barriers inhibit broadband adoption, including the cost of broadband access, the cost of computer or other Internet access device, and the lack of digital literacy. The pilots would allow the Commission to analyze the most effective way to address these barriers.

CWA Letter to FCC

The National Broadband Plan