EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM PRESENTATION FCC February 17, 2021 Open Meeting Introductory Remarks – Kris Monteith, Chief, WCB Good morning, Madame Chairwoman and Commissioners. Today the Wireline Competition Bureau will give an update on the status of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a new program established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act to provide much-needed support for broadband service and devices to low-income households during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eric Wu, Attorney Advisor in the Telecommunications Access Policy Division, will give the presentation. [Slide 1] Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Overview · I am Eric Wu, an Attorney Advisor in the Telecommunications Access Policy Division in the Wireline Competition Bureau · This presentation on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will cover: o Emergency Broadband Benefit Provisions of the Act; o The FCC’s current work to implement the Act; o Next steps [Slide 2] Overview · On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (the Act) became law. · The Act, among other changes and actions intended to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, established the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to support broadband service and equipment for low-income households. [Slide 3] Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Provisions • Funding. The Act establishes a $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund in the Treasury of the United States and directs the FCC to use that Fund to create the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP). - The FCC may use up to 2% of the Fund for administrative expenses. - The Fund will last for 6 months after the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that a public health emergency as a result of COVID-19 no longer exists, or when the fund is depleted, whichever is earlier. • Participating Providers. Providers must elect to participate in EBBP. - Eligible telecommunications carriers that currently participate in the Lifeline program may participate in EBBP without further approval. - Other broadband providers that had a low-income or COVID-19 program as of April 1, 2020 may receive automatic approval from the FCC to participate in EBBP. - All other broadband providers may seek expedited approval from the FCC to participate in EBBP. [Slide 4] Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Provisions • Broadband Service. The EBBP benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month on broadband service and associated equipment provided to low-income households. - On Tribal lands, the discount increases to up to $75 per month. - Participating providers receive reimbursement for providing discounts on service to eligible low-income households. - The plans offered by participating providers must have been offered as of December 1, 2020. • Connected Devices. EBBP will support a one-time discount of up to $100 off the price of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased from the participating provider. - The household receiving the discount must pay between $10 and $50 toward the price of the device. - Participating provider will receive the reimbursement for providing the discount on a connected device to eligible low-income households. • Participating providers must submit certain certifications to the FCC to receive reimbursement. • FCC is required to adopt audit requirements to ensure provider compliance and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. [Slide 5] Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Provisions • Eligible Households. A household may qualify for the EBBP benefit if at least one member of the household: - Meets the qualifications for Lifeline; • Income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of that size; • At least one member of the household participates in Medicaid, SNAP, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit; or • For households on Tribal lands, additional eligibility based on participation in certain Tribal benefit programs; - Or, the Act has also expanded eligibility beyond those eligible for the Lifeline program, if a member of a household: • Has applied for and been approved to receive benefits from the federal free and reduced price lunch program or school breakfast program; • Has experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020; • Has received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year; or • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program. • Eligibility Verification. Households can verify their eligibility through a variety of mechanisms set forth in the law. [Slide 6] Implementation • Administration. - FCC will be using the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to administer the EBBP, as allowed under the Act. 8 USAC operates the Lifeline National Verifier and National Lifeline Accountability Database, which the FCC will leverage for eligibility verifications and reimbursement processing. - The Act also permits the FCC to apply existing Lifeline program rules to the EBBP. 8 For example, the definitions of “Household” or “Tribal Lands” [Slide 7] Timeline and Next Steps · The FCC sought comment on the EBBP in a January 4, 2021 Public Notice. · Comments were due on January 25 and 138 parties filed in the proceeding. · The FCC hosted a Roundtable on February 12, 2021, with two panel discussions -- one on consumer outreach and enrollment, and the second focusing on broadband provider participation and consumer choice. · Reply comments were due yesterday, February 16, 2021. · The Act requires the FCC to promulgate rules within 60 days of enactment of the Act. o The FCC and USAC are currently working on developing the Order to establish the program rules and standing up program systems. · Thank you.