All broadband providers must file elections to USAC to participate in the EBB Program. To participate in the EBB Program, a broadband provider must be designated as an ETC or seek approval from the Bureau. Applications received after the priority application deadline will be expeditiously reviewed on a rolling basis.īroadband Provider Eligibility to Participate in the EBB Program
The Bureau announced the priority application window for broadband providers seeking Bureau approval will run from Mato March 22, 2021. All other broadband providers need to seek approval from the Bureau to participate in the EBB Program. Eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) and their affiliates in the states or territories where the ETC is designated can elect to participate in the EBB Program by filing the appropriate information with USAC and do not need to seek approval from the Bureau. WCB Seeks Comment on Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund Assistanceīroadband providers wishing to participate in the EBB Program should review all applicable program requirements and procedures in the Commission’s Order ( FCC 21-29) and any subsequent guidance for compliance with the EBB Program’s requirements. WCB Announces Roundtable on Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Initial Milestone Dates for the Emergency Broadband Benefit ProgramįCC Adopts Report and Order for Emergency Broadband Benefit ProgramįCC Provides Details About Emergency Broadband Benefit Program EventįCC Announces Roundtable on Emergency Broadband Benefit Program WCB Addresses Cox, NaLA EBB Waiver Petition on Connected DevicesĮB Reminds EBB Providers of Informed Consent and Co-Pay RequirementsįCC Shares Start Date of Emergency Broadband Benefit ProgramįCC Begins Emergency Broadband Benefit Program TestingįCC Announces First Slate of Emergency Broadband Benefit ProvidersįCC’s Spending Plan for CARES Act and Division N FundsĮrratum - Emergency Broadband Benefit Program WCB Addresses LICT and Lumen EBBP Waiver Petitions WCB Waives and Extends EBBP Reimbursement Filing Deadline to July 15 WCB Addresses SPITwSPOTS EBBP Waiver PetitionįCC Announces Release of Regional EBB Data WCB Grants Atlantic Broadband Waiver of EBBP Reimbursement RulesįCC Enrolls 4M+ Households in Emergency Broadband Benefit ProgramĮmergency Broadband Benefit Program Waiver Petitions Order WCB Expands EBB Eligibility for School Lunch and Breakfast ProgramsĮBB Program Discount and Program Integrity Requirements Guidance List of Broadband Providers that have Completed the USAC Election to Participate in the EBB Program On May 12, 2021, the EBB Program launched and consumers can apply for the program through the National Verifier at and service providers can begin enrolling consumers. The Bureau has announced the initial deadlines for approving the broadband provider participation and election process. 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. The Commission adopted the rules and policies creating and governing the EBB Program on February 25, 2021. The EBB Program will conclude when the fund is expended or six months after the end of the public health emergency. 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. 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 Emergency Broadband Benefit Program provides support for broadband services and certain devices to help low-income households stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers looking for information on the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit should visit fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit.