Items tagged "Covid-19"
Public Knowledge Celebrates FCC Action To Connect the Vulnerable With New $50 Broadband Subsidy
February 26, 2021 Broadband Access , Broadband Affordability , broadband subsidy , coronavirus , Covid-19 , EBB , FCCYesterday, the Federal Communications Commission voted on circulation to approve a Report and Order to establish the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a $3.2 billion federal initiative to provide qualifying households discounts on their internet service bills and an opportunity to receive a discount on a computer, laptop, or tablet. The program created by Congress subsidizes broadband and device payments for low-income consumers or families hit hard by the pandemic, including students and the unemployed.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Files Comments Urging FCC to Expand the E-Rate Program to Connect Students During Pandemic
February 17, 2021 Broadband Access , coronavirus , Covid-19 , E-Rate , FCC , remote learningYesterday, Public Knowledge joined New America’s Open Technology Institute in filing comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Notice on the use of E-Rate funds to enable remote learning.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Files Comments Urging FCC to Maximize Consumer Benefits in New Broadband Subsidy Program
January 26, 2021 Affordable Access , Affordable Broadband , broadband subsidy , coronavirus , Covid-19 , COVID19 , Emergency Broadband BenefitsYesterday, Public Knowledge filed comments on the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Notice to consider how to operate the new “Emergency Broadband Benefit Program” established this month to provide broadband subsidies for those financially impacted by COVID-19.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Applauds Congress for Championing Broadband Subsidies in Stimulus Package
December 21, 2020 Affordable Broadband , Broadband , broadband subsidy , coronavirus , Covid-19 , COVID19 , omnibus , Tribal BroadbandToday, a bipartisan, bicameral package for COVID-19 relief was introduced. Among other provisions, the relief bill helps Americans access broadband — or stay connected — during the pandemic.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Urges Quick Confirmation of Fifth FCC Commissioner to Protect Consumers
December 8, 2020 Broadband Access , coronavirus , Covid-19 , FCC , network resiliencyToday, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Nathan Simington to the Federal Communications Commission effectively deadlocking the agency until the Senate confirms a candidate for the fifth seat on the commission.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Joins 39 Groups Urging Congress to Include Broadband Subsidy in Stimulus Bills
December 8, 2020 Broadband Access , broadband subsidy , coronavirus , Covid-19 , Digital Divide , Rural Access , stimulusToday, Public Knowledge joins 39 other public interest, government, civil rights, labor, higher education, and rural advocacy groups in a letter urging Congress to offer a federal broadband subsidy in forthcoming COVID-19 stimulus packages.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Applauds Bill Protecting the Public’s Right to Repair During Health Crisis
August 6, 2020 coronavirus , Covid-19 , Medical Devices , Pandemic , Right to RepairToday, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) introduced “The Critical Medical Infrastructure Right-to-Repair Act of 2020” to allow trained experts to maintain and repair essential medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and temporarily suspend restrictions that are blocking needed repairs. Public Knowledge commends Sen. Wyden and Rep. Clarke for championing the needs of patients and medical professionals during this public health crisis.
Read MorePublic Interest, Tribal Advocacy Groups Urge FCC to Extend 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window Deadline to Connect Tribes
July 23, 2020 2.5 GHz , 5G , coronavirus , Covid-19 , Digital Divide , FCC , Rural Broadband Access , Tribal Broadband , tribal priority window , Wireless Deployment , Wireless InfrastructureToday, Public Knowledge joined nearly 50 public interest groups, tribal advocacy organizations, trade associations, and churches in a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission to extend the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window. The “Tribal Priority Window” allows tribes to apply to receive free spectrum licenses on the 2.5 GHz band — crucial for expanding 5G to Tribal lands. The groups urge the agency to extend the deadline to February 3, 2021 due to the significant impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on American Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian communities, and Alaska Native villages across the nation.
Read MoreNative American Tribal Groups Join Public Interest Groups Urging Congress to Extend Wireless Broadband Application Deadline for Tribes
July 8, 2020 2.5 GHz , Broadband Access , coronavirus , Covid-19 , FCC , Rural Broadband Access , WirelessToday, Public Knowledge joined 15 other public interest, rural, tribal, and consumer advocacy groups in a letter urging Congress to request the Federal Communications Commission extend the 2.5 GHz wireless broadband application deadline for American Indian tribes.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Shares Misinformation Reporting Insights With Congress to Tackle Disinformation on Digital Platforms
June 24, 2020 coronavirus , Covid-19 , Disinformation , infodemic , Internet Superfund , misinformation , Section 230Yesterday, Public Knowledge sent a letter to Congress providing insight into the flow of misinformation and disinformation over social media platforms to prepare for the joint hearing on “A Country in Crisis: How Disinformation Online is Dividing the Nation.” The hearing will discuss the impact of disinformation on the American public.
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