Advocates Eye EBB as Opportunity to Address Lifeline

Homes that enroll in the FCC’s $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program could be forced to discontinue their services if the commission fails to take additional action (see 2102260058), advocates said in interviews. Some suggested now is the time to consider how to update Lifeline before money runs out.

“We are very concerned about the funds being depleted quickly and the possibility of consumers getting a big bill and having no subsidy to offset the [emergency broadband benefit] after they have enrolled,” emailed Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council Vice President-Policy Fallon Wilson. The FCC “must be very transparent so that consumers are not caught off guard when the subsidy runs out.” MMTC and others urged the FCC to provide regular updates on how much money has been spent and what's available. Wilson said the FCC should also be “encouraging Congress for a permanent broadband government subsidy" (see 2103090044).

The agency recognizes "this benefit will eventually come to an end” and the program's rules have “put in safeguards to help avoid bill shock as much as possible, such as ensuring consumers are given advance warnings as funds are being drawn down,” emailed a spokesperson. “No one in this country should have to choose between paying a broadband bill or buying groceries or paying rent. We need to use every tool at our disposal now to ensure no one is disconnected during this crisis or in the future.”

The temporary program should be viewed as a “window" to "figure out” a long-term solution for low-income consumers, said Internet Innovation Alliance co-Chairwoman Kim Keenan. “By the amount of money, it's not meant to fix a problem,” Keenan said. "We have all these people who really could put their best minds together and fix Lifeline, which would enable us to have a benefit and maybe have a fund that's created in a way where more people contribute to it so that it can sustain a broadband benefit.”

The conversation about long-term funding for low-income consumers is “long overdue,” said Incompas General Counsel Angie Kronenberg. "It's been a hard nut to crack” without more money from Congress, she said: “We may find that there are different opportunities to address this issue long-term," because the current $9.25 Lifeline discount is “not sufficient.” Incompas providers are focused on helping consumers stay connected (see 2103040049).

“The onus is on every stakeholder" to get the word out on the temporary program and keep consumers informed about when funds will expire, said Joycelyn Tate, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Black Women’s Roundtable senior policy adviser. “It’s a colossal waste of money,” said Conexon partner Jonathan Chambers. “If you want to help the poor ... you don’t set up a temporary program that’s only going to last a few months and which, when it expires, is going to cause all kinds of disruption.”