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1 1 (February 23, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govecfc0001 and id is 1 raw text is: aCongressional *.Research Service The Emergency Broadband Benefit: Implementation and Future Policy Directions February 23, 2021 The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Act) created the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB). It subsidizes broadband service for eligible households-defined as those households that suffered income loss during the pandemic or meet other need-based criteria specified in the Act, such as eligibility for school lunch programs. Any broadband provider that had an established program that was widely available as of April 1, 2020, and maintains verification processes that are sufficient to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse may apply to participate in the program. The Act requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate implementing regulations within 60 days of passage (by February 25, 2021). EBB is a temporary program funded by a congressional appropriation of $3.2 billion, available until expended, or until six months after the current public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services terminates. Even though the Appropriations Act construes EBB as a temporary program, numerous advocacy organizations have used its passage to press for long-sought policy reforms on behalf of low-income Americans via the FCC rulemaking process. Consumer advocates have suggested that EBB might provide a template for a new approach to fulfilling the legislative mandate for universal service-either through reform of the FCC's existing low-income connectivity assistance program (known as Lifeline) or creation of a new permanent program to supplement or replace it. EBB as written in statute differs from Lifeline in its funding structure, benefits levels, and provider and beneficiary eligibility requirements. The FCC funds Lifeline and other Universal Service Fund (USF) programs through fees collected from telecommunication providers, rather than the congressional appropriations process, as is the case with EBB. Therefore, the new program demonstrates an alternative model of funding for these programs that some advocates support. For potential subscribers, EBB offers broader eligibility provisions and significantly higher monthly subsidies to cover the cost of residential broadband service-up to $50 in most cases, versus $9.25 under Lifeline, and provides discounts of up to $100 for computing devices supplied by participating broadband providers. Finally, EBB expands eligibility criteria for broadband providers and instructs the FCC to expedite review of new applications. Eligible households may receive both Lifeline and EBB benefits simultaneously. (Participating providers usually market Lifeline service as a free mobile data plan with usage caps rather than as a residential broadband subsidy as envisioned under EBB.) Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN11612 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress

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