In 2022, one in every five households lacked access to broadband at home
Washington (October 4, 2023) – In conjunction with Digital Inclusion Week, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) joined Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Representative Robin Kelly (IL-02) in introducing a bicameral bill that would increase access to broadband service for low-income urban and rural Americans. The Promoting Access to Broadband Act would help states increase awareness and enrollment in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline program and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provide a monthly subsidy to help low-income households pay for their broadband and telephone service.
“The COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how critical high-quality, reliable broadband is for Americans when they need to connect to job opportunities, their online classrooms, their loved ones, and their medical professionals. However, cost remains a barrier for too many households, which is why Representative Kelly and I want to increase awareness and enrollment in the FCC’s Lifeline program and Affordable Connectivity Program through our Promoting Access to Broadband Act,” said Senate Majority Whip Durbin.
“Internet capable devices are not a luxury – they are a necessity of modern life. I’m proud to introduce the Promoting Access to Broadband Act with Senator Durbin to increase access to the vital Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline programs,” said Representative Kelly. “I represent a district that is urban, suburban, and rural – I know firsthand how important internet connection is whether you’re a student in Chicago, a farmer in Kankakee, or a doctor in Danville. Internet connectivity expands access to education opportunities, job opportunities, and resources like telemedicine. This legislation is a vital step toward eliminating the digital divide and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive.”
Along with Senators Markey and Durbin, the Promoting Access to Broadband Act is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).
According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, in 2022, one in every five households lacked access to broadband at home, and a 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that 27 percent of non-broadband users cited cost as the most important reason they do not have broadband at home.
ACP has made strides to close the digital divide with 21 million households enrolled in the program. However, experts estimate that an additional 27 million households are eligible for the program. Further, participation in the Lifeline program has dropped in recent years and remains extremely low nationwide. The Universal Service Administrative Company estimates the number of eligible households participating in Lifeline nationwide is just 19 percent.
The Promoting Access to Broadband Act would:
To be eligible for these programs, an individual must have an income at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the Lifeline program and at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for ACP. Enrollees also are eligible if they qualify for a needs-based program, such as Medicaid or SNAP, or receive Supplemental Security Income, federal public housing assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits.
The bill has earned endorsements from Third Way, Public Knowledge, NCLC, on behalf of its low-income clients, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, ACLU, Common Sense Media, and Free Press.
Full text of the bill is available here.
