The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has taken the first steps that could eventually rework — perhaps significantly — two programs that provide low-income residents with subsidies for their telephone service. How those subsidies and services might look when all is said and done is unclear. What the FCC is proposing touches upon many topics — from extending support to broadband on the one hand, to putting a cap on the programs’ $1.3 billion budget on the other. The programs, Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up America, subsidize both wireless and wireline service and installation.
As someone who lives in the poverty level, I can assure you that having broadband over phone service would be most helpful. I'm going to school online, and virtually every federal assitance program I must respond to prefers I do so by Internet access. This is sorely needed by others like myself. Phone service is no big deal, 911 is available from any phone. Broadband for the masses!
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FCC Wants to Make Broadband Affordable for All
Posted by: Erika Morphy March 4, 2011 10:49 AMThe U.S. Federal Communications Commission has taken the first steps that could eventually rework — perhaps significantly — two programs that provide low-income residents with subsidies for their telephone service. How those subsidies and services might look when all is said and done is unclear. What the FCC is proposing touches upon many topics — from extending support to broadband on the one hand, to putting a cap on the programs’ $1.3 billion budget on the other. The programs, Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up America, subsidize both wireless and wireline service and installation.