Consumers looking for information on the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit should visit fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program provided support for broadband services and certain devices to help low-income households stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 became law and established an Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund of $3.2 billion in the United States Treasury to help Americans afford internet service during the pandemic. The Act directed the Federal Communications Commission to use the fund to establish an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program), under which eligible low-income households may receive a discount off the cost of broadband service and certain connected devices, and participating providers can receive a reimbursement for such discounts. The EBB Program will conclude when the fund is expended or six months after the end of the public health emergency.
The Commission adopted the rules and policies creating and governing the EBB Program on February 25, 2021. The Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau, other Commission staff and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) are overseeing and administering the processes and systems needed for the EBB Program. On May 12, 2021, the EBB Program launched and consumers could apply for the program through the National Verifier and service providers began enrolling consumers.
On November 15, 2021, Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a long-term, $14 billion program, which will replaced the EBB Program. More information regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program is available here: https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program.
Releases
Orders, Public Notices, and Other Items
List of Broadband Providers that have Completed the USAC Election to Participate in the EBB Program
January 5, 2023 - Order
WCB Grants VPNet Limited Waiver of EBB Program Reimbursement Rules
July 1, 2022 - Notice of Apparent Liability
FCC Proposes a $220K Fine for Apparent Wire Fraud in EBB Program
March 11, 2022 - Advisory
Inspector General Advisory on Providers Deceiving Lifeline Consumers
March 11, 2022 - News Release
Inspector General Warns of Providers Deceiving Lifeline Consumers
February 11, 2022 - Order
WCB Grants GCI and T-Mobile Waiver of EBBP Reimbursement Rules
January 6, 2022 - Public Notice
FCC Modifies Ex Parte Rules in Affordable Connectivity Fund Proceeding
December 30, 2021 - Order
FCC Provides Additional Guidance on Affordable Connectivity Program
December 8, 2021 - Order
FCC Issues Further Guidance for Affordable Connectivity Program
November 26, 2021 - Order
WCB Issues Guidance for Transition to Affordable Connectivity Program
November 22, 2021 - Public Notice
WCB Implements EBB Program Integrity Measures for CEP Enrollments
November 22, 2021 - Public Notice
OMD Announces Mitigation Measures for EBB Program CEP Enrollments
November 22, 2021 - News Release
FCC Inspector General Issues Advisory Regarding EBB Enrollment Fraud
November 18, 2021 - Public Notice
FCC Seeks Comment on the New Affordable Connectivity Program
September 8, 2021 - Public Notice
WCB Expands EBB Eligibility for School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
August 20, 2021 - Order
EBB Program Discount and Program Integrity Requirements Guidance
August 10, 2021 - Order
WCB Grants Atlantic Broadband Waiver of EBBP Reimbursement Rules
July 28, 2021 - News Release
FCC Enrolls 4M+ Households in Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
July 15, 2021 - Order
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Waiver Petitions Order
July 7, 2021 - Order
WCB Addresses SPITwSPOTS EBBP Waiver Petition
June 29, 2021 - News Release
FCC Announces Release of Regional EBB Data
June 8, 2021 - Order
WCB Waives and Extends EBBP Reimbursement Filing Deadline to July 15
May 28, 2021 - Order
WCB Addresses LICT and Lumen EBBP Waiver Petitions
May 28, 2021 - Order
WCB Addresses Cox, NaLA EBB Waiver Petition on Connected Devices
May 12, 2021 - News Release
Emergency Broadband Benefit Starts Today
May 11, 2021 - Public Notice
EB Reminds EBB Providers of Informed Consent and Co-Pay Requirements
April 29, 2021 - News Release
FCC Shares Start Date of Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
April 19, 2021 - News Release
FCC Begins Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Testing
April 1, 2021 - News Release
FCC Announces First Slate of Emergency Broadband Benefit Providers
March 25, 2021 - Report
FCC’s Spending Plan for CARES Act and Division N Funds
March 11, 2021 - Erratum
Erratum - Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
March 4 2021 - Public Notice
Initial Milestone Dates for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
February 26, 2021 - Report and Order
FCC Adopts Report and Order for Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
February 5, 2021 - Public Notice
FCC Provides Details About Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Event
January 28, 2021 - Public Notice
FCC Announces Roundtable on Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
January 28, 2021 - Public Notice
WCB Announces Roundtable on Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
January 4, 2021 - Public Notice
WCB Seeks Comment on Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund Assistance
For Providers
For Providers
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program stopped accepting applications to become a participating provider on December 20, 2021 in preparation for the launch of the Affordable Connectivity Program. On December 31, 2021, all EBB Program participating providers were transitioned to ACP participating providers. Providers looking for more information about this transition should review FCC Provides Additional Guidance on Affordable Connectivity Program and FCC Issues Further Guidance for Affordable Connectivity Program.
Providers looking for more information about the Affordable Connectivity Program should visit https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program.
For Consumers
Consumer Outreach & Education
February 26, 2021 - Fact Sheet
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Fact Sheet
Consumers looking for more information on FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit should visit fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit.