On Friday, February 12, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will host a roundtable discussion on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The event will include remarks from FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, as well as Commissioners Carr, Starks and Simington, followed by a diverse set of panelists. The roundtable is open to the public, and can be livestreamed at www.fcc.gov/live.
The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program was created by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Through the program, eligible households may receive a discount off the cost of broadband service (up to $50.00 per month and, on Tribal lands, the monthly discount may be up to $75.00 per month) and certain connected devices during an emergency period relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participating providers can be reimbursed for such discounts.
The roundtable discussion will consist of two, fifty-minute question-and-answer panels. The first panel will focus on how to build awareness for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and how to create an effective enrollment process for consumers. The second panel will discuss broadband provider participation and consumer choice in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.
Up-to-date information on the event, including the agenda and speaker bios can be found on the event page. Questions for the panels can be submitted ahead of, or during, the event via email to outreach@fcc.gov.
Open captioning will be provided for this event. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Requests for such accommodations should be submitted via e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or by calling the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice). Such requests should include a detailed description of the accommodation needed. In addition, please include a way for the FCC to contact the requester if more information is needed to fill the request. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to accommodate.