SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EducationSuperHighway, the national non-profit with a mission to close the broadband affordability gap, today released a new report outlining recommendations for a cost-neutral permanent broadband affordability program focused on 16.3 million U.S. households that have access to the internet but cannot afford to connect.
Highlighting broadband affordability as the primary barrier to closing the digital divide, the report urges Congress and the incoming Trump Administration to create a new affordability program without taxpayer burden by repurposing funding from expiring High Cost Programs as a first step toward modernizing the Universal Service Fund (USF).
Home broadband is critical to full participation in modern life, connecting households to education, jobs, and essential services like telehealth and banking. Yet millions of working-class families are struggling with rising costs and have been forced to choose between connectivity and other household priorities. The report provides a detailed plan for creating a new monthly broadband affordability benefit targeted toward those who truly need it.
"The election sent a clear message that working-class families are struggling to make ends meet and looking to leaders in Washington for answers," said Evan Marwell, CEO of EducationSuperHighway. "Our report provides a blueprint for Congress and the new Administration to maximize the impact of historic broadband investments and ease the pressure on household budgets without additional tax burdens on the American people."
The report outlines how repurposing funding from expiring High Cost Programs offers a revenue-neutral approach that does not raise the USF ceiling, enables all High Cost Programs to deliver on their existing commitments, and provides sufficient funding to cover 100% of the cost of a new affordability benefit. Creating the new program within the USF also removes the need for future appropriations and additional government funding.
As states prepare to make significant broadband investments using their share of $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD), there is an immediate need for an affordability solution ensuring households can afford new networks BEAD provides. Changing eligibility criteria focuses on unconnected households providing annual savings compared with previous programs.
ABOUT EDUCATIONSUPERHIGHWAY
EducationSuperHighway is a national non-profit dedicated to closing the digital divide for 16.3 million households unable to afford internet connectivity despite having access. We focus on America's most unconnected communities where more than 25% lack internet access.
From 2012-2020 we led efforts that closed classroom connectivity gaps; in 2013 only 10% of students had digital learning access in classrooms which changed due bipartisan support leading up till today where nearly all schools are connected via high-speed broadband.