FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Launches May 12
The FCC just announced that the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) will begin Wednesday, May 12, 2021. On this date, eligible customers will be able to enroll in the EBBP to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider (See JSI’s March 1, 2021, e-Lert for more about the EBBP). Customers can start the eligibility process by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org and then apply starting May 12.
Between now and May 12, the FCC encourages partners and participating providers to conduct outreach efforts so that every eligible household knows about the program and how to sign up. The FCC will be providing a toolkit with a variety of materials for broadband providers and community partners to use in their efforts to increase awareness about the program.
Existing ETCs that have not yet elected to participate in the EBBP by completing the election process with USAC can still do so. There is not a hard deadline for participation, but ETCs should get their election forms and documentation to USAC as soon as possible in order to begin signing up customers when the program launches.
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