Public Knowledge Joins 24 Public Interest Groups Urging Congress To Renew FCC Auction Authority, Fund ACP

At this time, Public Information joined 24 different public curiosity and client advocacy teams in a letter urging Congress to resume the Federal Communications Fee’s spectrum public sale authority to assist fund the company’s Inexpensive Connectivity Program. The teams argue that directing $7 billion of the public sale’s projected income to the ACP would assist maintain tens of thousands and thousands of low-income households linked, making certain that households can afford entry to the high-speed web essential to take part in at the moment’s society. This system is presently slated to finish in April except the company obtains extra funding.

The next is an excerpt from the letter:

“The ACP serves as a essential lifeline for thousands and thousands of low-income households in America. Sadly, the FCC tasks that this system will run out of funds in little over a month. With out this funding, thousands and thousands of individuals will both wrestle to keep up entry to the web or lose entry completely. We are going to revert to a state of affairs the place kids should do their homework in McDonald’s parking tons, the place job seekers can not search for work alternatives, and the place the sick and aged will lose entry to essential telehealth providers. Congress can stop these outcomes and proceed our progress in direction of reasonably priced, common web entry by renewing the FCC’s spectrum public sale authority.

“The ACP targets the affordability element of the digital divide by providing a month-to-month web low cost to qualifying low-income households, households in high-cost areas, and households on Tribal lands. Whereas this system was created in response to the distinctive situations posed by COVID-19, enrollment has continued to develop within the years following the pandemic – from 1.5 million households enrolled in Might of 2021 to its present dimension of 23 million households. As this system’s enduring recognition signifies, People’ growing connectivity wants weren’t transitory, they’re the brand new regular – and People’ use of the web and views concerning the web have advanced accordingly.

“One yr out from the lapse of the FCC’s public sale authority, Congress has a singular alternative to advance our nationwide spectrum objectives whereas concurrently producing ample income to help the connectivity wants of thousands and thousands of People. We urge you to take swift motion to guard these positive factors in connectivity by passing laws to resume the FCC’s public sale authority and fund the ACP. In doing so, we are able to understand the ambitions of our infrastructure investments, shut the digital divide, and make sure that each American has entry to the social, financial, {and professional} advantages connectivity has to supply.”

You might view the letter for extra data.

Members of the media might contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to hitch the Public Information press record at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.