Spotlight

FCC Initial EBB-to-ACP Transition Efforts

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has taken its first key steps to transition administration of the expiring Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to the newly established Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).  The ACP modifies and extends the EBB Program by, among other things, setting out additional consumer protection requirements, modifying the eligibility criteria to be used for the ACP, reducing the standard benefit amount from $50 to $30 per month, imposing a new standard for determining the eligibility of households on Tribal lands to receive the enhanced benefit of up to $75 per month, requiring providers to allow enrolled households to apply the ACP to any of the provider’s Internet service offerings, and setting forth additional requirements for providers regarding the promotion of the program.

On November 18, 2021, the Bureau initiated the transition by issuing a Public Notice seeking comments on requirements for the ACP.  The Bureau took further transitional steps on November 26, 2021 by issuing an order waiving, on its own motion, EBB Program rules requiring the Universal Service Administrative Company (the entity designating to administer the EBB program) to freeze enrollments in the EBB Program upon issuance (by providers) of a required notice to customers announcing the end of the EBB Program (December 31, 2021, as stipulated in the EBB Program).  The Bureau also waived EBB requirements that providers give 15-day and 30-day notices to EBB customers about the Program’s pending cessation.  The Bureau also provided guidance to consumers, service providers, outreach partners and other stakeholders to assist their transitional planning and preparation for the transition to and start of the ACP in advance of the issuance of the Commission’s final rules. 

The Public Notice can be found at:  https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-new-affordable-connectivity-program.  The Waiver Order can be found at: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1477A1.pdf.

For consumer information on the Affordable Connectivity Program, visit: http://www.fcc.gov/acp

Learn About the Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.

Information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit can be found here.

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