Today, the Federal Communications Commission launched the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a $3.2 billion federal initiative to provide qualifying households $50 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.

This week, eligible Americans can apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) – a direct payment from the government to subsidize broadband. It will provide a discount of up to $50 per month (or $75 per month for those on Tribal lands) to help struggling families and students to pay for broadband access during the […]

A lot of people who live in low-income or marginalized communities — including urban, rural and Tribal communities — can tell you that they have super slow broadband (if they even have it at all). Meanwhile, just a few blocks away, a hamlet over, or just outside the reservation boundaries, their wealthier (and often whiter) […]

Today, President Joe Biden unveiled a massive infrastructure package that dedicates $100 billion to “bring[ing] affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband to every American.”

Today, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) reintroduced the “Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act” in both the U.S. House and Senate to invest $100 billion to connect more people. Public Knowledge commends Rep. Clyburn, Sen. Klobuchar, and the House Rural Broadband Task Force for working to provide high-speed broadband access to more families.

Last night, the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that could potentially leverage spectrum sharing technology to help close the digital divide.

Last week, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai circulated a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that could potentially leverage spectrum sharing technology to help close the digital divide. Adding the 12 GHz band to the agency’s “5G FAST Plan” would make an additional 500 MHz of contiguous spectrum available for two-way fixed and mobile 5G wireless broadband services, while protecting incumbent satellite uses (including satellite broadband) from harmful interference.

Today, 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.

Today, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously adopted an Order reclaiming the 45 MHz spectrum band from the auto industry in order to help close the digital divide.

Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that he will circulate a draft Order to reclaim 45 MHz from the auto industry to help close the digital divide.