Updates on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is a temporary program offered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide affordable access to internet service. The program works with participating internet providers to offer a monthly discount of up to $50 for a single internet connection to qualifying households. This discount may be up to $75 per month for a qualifying household on Tribal lands. Participating internet providers may also offer up to a $100 one-time discount on a laptop computer, desktop computer, or tablet through the program.
In order to promote the EBB program, the FCC created the EBB Outreach Toolkit with many helpful resources to assist Tribal organizations, community outreach organizations, or anyone interested in informing their communities about the EBB program. The toolkit features pamphlets, flyers, and posters in a PDF format, newsletter samples, social media post samples, images and graphics, and audio announcements. The information posted on the toolkit page is free to use and can be edited and customized to meet individual needs.
What the last year has shown us is that reliable and affordable internet access is now more important than ever. Internet access is not simply a luxury, but is a necessity which helps people work from home, attend online classes, or attend telehealth appointments. The EBB program has the potential to help many people with internet access starting May 12, 2021. It is important that information about the program reaches everyone throughout Indian Country, so we at AIPI are also working to provide crucial information on all broadband internet developments with our own Tribal Broadband Resources page. Please visit our page to learn about the EBB, other programs, and opportunities focused on bringing more internet access to Tribal communities.
Posted on
May 7, 2021