Media Contact: 
Anne Veigle, (202) 418-0506
anne.veigle@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

RURAL BROADBAND PROVIDERS WORK WITH FCC TO MEET INTERNET NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
 
Hundreds of Rate-of-Return Carriers Will Provide Discounts and Service Upgrades to Help Families Obtain Needed Broadband Services
  -- 
WASHINGTON, October 1, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission this week enabled hundreds of rural broadband providers to offer discounts and service upgrades to families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches through the National School Lunch Program.  To help connect low-income students to remote learning, the National Exchange Carrier Association worked with the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau staff on tariff revisions that will provide eligible new customers of rural carriers a 25% discount on certain broadband services and offer existing eligible customers faster connections at no cost.  

“I applaud the hundreds of NECA members that are committed to helping low-income students in their service areas connect and stay connected to the Internet,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.  “With the continued reliance upon remote learning in many parts of the country, students need connectivity to learn from and communicate with their teachers and classmates.  I’m pleased the Commission worked with these rural carriers to enable more low-income students in their communities to benefit from cheaper, faster broadband service.”

Tariffs contain the rates, terms and conditions of certain services provided by telecommunications carriers.  The tariff revisions go into effect today, and the promotional offerings will be in effect through the end of June 2021.  Each participating carrier will decide how to reach out to its community and to verify customer eligibility.  For more information on the FCC’s efforts to keep Americans connected during the pandemic, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/coronavirus. 

###

Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / TTY: (888) 835-5322 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).