Demand for FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Highlights Critical Role of Financial Support in Closing America’s Digital Divide

Press Release
August 30, 2021
Contact: Jon Conradi
[email protected]

Washington, D.C. – Connect Americans Now (CAN) executive director Richard T. Cullen released the following statement Monday reacting to a release from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that more than five million American households have been enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Fund program.

“The demand for participation in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Fund and the program’s successful implementation demonstrate the need for permanent solutions to support broadband adoption,” Cullen said. “Connect Americans Now applauds Congress for authorizing and the FCC for successfully administering this much-needed emergency program that has helped more than five million American households afford broadband service.”

“Adequate financial assistance that helps income insecure households to afford broadband service is vital to permanently bridging the digital divide and ensuring every American can succeed in the 21^st century digital economy,” Cullen added. “Lawmakers must act on the FCC’s successful demonstration of the need and effectiveness of broadband adoption programs by swiftly passing permanent solutions into law.”

Connect Americans Now (CAN) is a broad-based coalition of more than 300 companies and organizations representing leading voices in agriculture, education, health care, veterans’ issues, technology and small business — committed to urgent action to completely eliminate the digital divide in every American community.

Learn more about solutions to permanently close the broadband gap HERE.

Read more on CAN and our mission HERE.