FCC Halts Broadband Subsidies For Low-Income Families
The FCC decision will leave many poor Americans without access to broadbandÂ
The new chairman of the FCC announced today that the commission will not be defending the system for expanding internet subsidies for poor Americans. The plan was set to help end the “digital divide” that leaves poor Americans without access to the internet.
The 32-year-old program gives poor Americans $9.25 a month toward communications services and last year it was changed to include support for broadband in addition to phone service.
The announcement from FCC chairman Ajit Pai will make it harder for Internet Service Providers get approved to sell the subsidized plans to low-income customers. Last year’s decision enabled to the FC to approve new Lifeline services nationwide so ISPs wouldn’t need to get approval from each state.
