CWA to FCC: low-income families need Lifeline broadband program

The Communications Workers of America and 35 consumer, civil rights, and community allies called on the FCC to end its efforts to undermine the Lifeline program that enables low-income families to have access to affordable communications services.

In a letter, the group reminded Chairman Pai and Commissioners Clyburn and O’Rielly that Lifeline “is the only federal program poised to bring broadband to poor families across the US” making it possible for them to “connect to jobs, complete their homework and communicate with healthcare providers and emergency services.”

The Commission must reject the critics who suggest that Lifeline is unnecessary because “poor people would adopt these technologies absent a subsidy.” This is a discredited and empty argument. Usage data and survey responses for families living in lower income communities show a very high demand for home Internet access among low-income families. These families overwhelmingly would subscribe if home access were more affordable.

The group urged the FCC to reject any further efforts to erode Lifeline, to overturn a recent Order that rescinded Lifeline designations for nine carriers, and instead implement the Lifeline modernization order, so the program can catch up with the 21st century.

Link:

Lifeline coalition letter to FCC Chairman Wheeler (Lifeline Coalition, Feb. 23, 2017)