More than 11 million American households are participating in the federal broadband subsidy program that was established during the pandemic and solidified under the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told Congress last week.
The program was originally established as the Emergency Broadband Benefit as part of Covid-19 relief programs, aiming to connect the unconnected during a time when internet access abruptly became critical for school and work. It provides monthly discounts on internet service, and also a one-time discount for a computer or tablet. The program received expanded funding of $14.2 billion and was renamed the Affordable Connectivity Program through the Infrastructure and Jobs Act.
