Comments Due: March 4, 2024
Reply Comments Due: April 1, 2024
At its November 15, 2023, Open Meeting, the FCC adopted a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) to take the next step in the Commission’s efforts to promote equal access to broadband internet access service, a service critical to virtually every aspect of life in our country and to the U.S. economy. To implement section 60506 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the Commission adopted rules to establish a framework to facilitate equal access to broadband internet access service by preventing digital discrimination of access to that service based on income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, and national origin. On February 1, 2024, the comment due dates were established by publication in the Federal Register.
Specifically about accessibility, the Report and Order recognized that while disability was not listed as a protected characteristic in the statute, the Commission’s work towards ensuring broadband access does not begin or end with the statute, and the Commission will continue to address disability access to broadband under other sources of authority.
The FCC also adopted an FNPRM seeking additional comment on efforts to facilitate equal access to broadband internet services. The FNPRM also seeks comment on a proposal to establish an FCC Office of Civil Rights.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference GN Docket No. 22-69. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Link to the Report and Order and News Release:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-rules-prevent-eliminate-digital-discrimination
For more information about the Digital Discrimination Report and Order and FNPRM, contact Aurelie Mathieu, Wireline Competition Bureau, Competition Policy Division, at (202) 418-2194, or via e-mail at Aurelie.Mathieu@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).