Senate Passes COVID-19 Bill – $17 Billion Allocated for Broadband
Senate Passes COVID-19 Bill – $17 Billion Allocated for Broadband
March 11, 2021
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Senate passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan COVID-19 aid bill on March 6, which will allot another $17 billion for broadband investment. This is the largest, single federal investment in broadband infrastructure and affordability to date.
As part of this bill, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will set up an E-rate Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), which will go towards paying the total cost of equipment, including computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and connected devices, and communications services deployed at eligible schools and libraries, for both in-building and remote use.
Another part of this bill is the homeowner’s assistance fund, which offers payment assistance for qualified expenses, like internet service, including broadband, for mainly low-income households that need assistance as a result of the pandemic.
According to Sen. Mark Warner, expanding access to high-speed internet is a necessity during the pandemic. He continued, saying, “The $17 billion we secured to help expand broadband infrastructure and affordability represents the largest-ever federal investment of its kind and will be a significant boost to our economy as we work to rebuild and recover from COVID-19.”