CTIA lobbyists support the push to bridge the digital divide
WASHINGTON – Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), in conjunction with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), introduced legislation to modernize the Universal Service Fund’s Lifeline Assistance Program to include subsidized access to broadband.
The Lifeline Assistance Program, sometimes referred to as the “ObamaPhone” program even though it was started by the Federal Communications Commission in 1985, is a government subsidy program aimed at providing affordable telephone service to income-eligible Americans.
Booker’s proposed legislation would expand on that concept by mandating the FCC provide affordable broadband to low-income individuals who qualify.
“In a world that is more and more interconnected, Internet access has become a necessity for social and economic well-being. We must work to ensure everyone has a chance to access the opportunities this technology provides,” Booker said in a statement. “Our legislation helps make this increasingly important resource more affordable, improving digital access in communities in New Jersey and across the country. Whether through legislation or FCC action, we must act to help bridge the digital divide and level the playing field for all Americans — that’s why my colleagues and I are committed to making Internet accessibility for all a priority.”
The legislation has already received positive feedback from wireless industry trade association CTIA. In written testimony presented to the Senate Subcommittee on Communications Technology, Innovation, and the Internet on June 2, Scott Bergman, VP of regulatory affairs for CTIA made the group’s case: “Over the nearly three decades since its creation, the Lifeline program has served an important purpose by enabling low-income consumers to access essential communications services, justifiably earning bipartisan support.
“CTIA appreciates the opportunity to work with the subcommittee, the commission and other interested parties to ensure that low-income Americans continue to have affordable access to increasingly essential communications services of the 21st century. CTIA believes this objective can be accomplished in a way that both recognizes the important role of wireless for low-income Americans and ensures the fiscal integrity of the program, and we look forward to engaging with you to accomplish these objectives.”
Booker reps, citing FCC research, noted that an estimated 100 million Americans do not have broadband Internet service in their homes.
“Several prominent studies by Pew and the FCC have strongly suggested that broadband adoption rates in urban and rural communities are largely associated with income levels and the high cost of broadband services,” they noted. “While the broadband penetration rate is over 90% nationwide among households making over $50,000 a year, that figure drops to 68% for homes bringing in $30,000 to $50,000 a year, and to less than half in households making under $30,000.”
Key provisions of the new legislation includes direction to the FCC to study market prices and broadband speeds; remain technology neutral to foster provider competition; and provide annual monitoring reports to the federal auditors.
