Bridging the Digital Divide

girl wearing ear buds writing in front of laptop computer

Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Commission launched the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit, the first and largest program in the U.S. to address broadband affordability. The new benefit is connecting eligible households to jobs, critical health care services, virtual classrooms, and other essential resources. The temporary program provides a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Commission launched the Affordable Connectivity Program on December 31, 2021 as a successor program to the EBB to help ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Helping Close the Homework Gap

The $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund helps schools and libraries close the Homework Gap by providing funding for the reasonable costs of laptop and tablet computers; Wi-Fi hotspots; modems; routers; and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.