Today, Public Knowledge and Communications Workers of America notified the Federal Communications Commission of the withdrawal of objections to the Verizon/TracFone merger in exchange for commitments from Verizon that protect TracFone’s most vulnerable subscribers. Access Humboldt, the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society, and the California Center for Rural Policy also joined the letter withdrawing objections. 

Today, the Senate Commerce Committee marked up the “Safe Connections Act,” a bill introduced to help survivors of domestic violence cut ties with their abusers and separate from shared wireless phone plans, which can be exploited to monitor, stalk, or control victims. Public Knowledge urges Congress to pass the bill to make it easier for survivors to escape abuse.

Today, President Joe Biden named Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as acting chair of the Federal Communications Commission. Commissioner Rosenworcel has been a strong advocate for broadband affordability, student access through the E-Rate program to in-home broadband connectivity, and generally a more consumer-focused FCC. Public Knowledge commends Commissioner Rosenworcel for her work in championing the public interest.

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission increased the minimum service standards for Lifeline recipients from 3 GB to 4.5 GB per month.

Today, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, introduced the “Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act” to invest $100 billion to close the digital divide.

Recently, the Federal Communications Commission circulated a proposal to consider implementing a cap on the Universal Service Fund (USF), the federal government’s primary tool to help close the digital divide by funding broadband access and deployment in rural communities, affordable broadband for low-income families, and affordable connectivity for schools and libraries. Public Knowledge opposes capping the USF because it may hinder the FCC’s ability to fulfill its universal service mandate.

Last week, Public Knowledge filed reply comments on the Federal Communications Commission’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry entitled, “Bridging the Digital Divide for Low-Income Consumers.” The NPRM & NOI propose to eliminate affordable broadband choices for millions of low-income and vulnerable families that participate in the Lifeline program.

Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve a Fourth Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, Memorandum Opinion and Order, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Notice of Inquiry that would immediately eliminate affordable broadband choices for residents living on Tribal lands, and begin consideration of proposals that amount to an unprecedented rollback of America’s longstanding commitment to universal service and affordable basic telecommunications services for low-income families.

Today, the U.S. Government Accountability Office published a report on the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program’s application process. The GAO investigated multiple Lifeline providers and failed to confirm the eligibility of roughly a third of participants.

This video draws attention to the growing list of giveaways by Congress and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Pai to large cable and telecommunications companies that act as local broadband monopolies.