The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program directs the FCC to reimburse eligible carriers $50 per month ($75 per month on Tribal lands) to provide discounted broadband service and $100 per eligible household reimbursement for a connected device.
“A strong response is critical given the supreme importance of connectivity while the country continues its efforts to combat the unprecedented and devastating COVID-19 pandemic,” wrote members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“COVID-19 continues to reveal to the public and policymakers alike that a reliable Internet connection is an absolute necessity in the modern world,” concludes the BroadbandNow report.
The Governor’s executive order requires state agencies to pursue a goal of 100 Mbps broadband download speed, mapping and data collection, funding, and deployment.
There are many outstanding questions about the effect of the bankruptcy plan on frontline employees and whether Frontier will follow through on badly needed investments in broadband deployment and service quality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that broadband is more necessary than ever, and a Cars.com survey suggests it will stay that way as a third of Americans plan to telework permanently.
CWA and TURN are also asking the Commission to require Frontier to commit to investing in its network to support all Frontier customers and to no job reductions post-restructuring so that it has the sufficient resources and trained workforce needed to improve Frontier’s struggling infrastructure.
