On January 27, 2020, Next Century Cities joined allies including the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Center for Rural Strategies, and others in a filing led by the National Consumer Law Center reiterating that the Lifeline program is essential for ensuring that low-income households have access to broadband. 

As the only federal telecommunications subsidy, Lifeline is an essential tool to bring broadband within reach for families living on the margins. The program provides low-income households with a $9.25 subsidy to subscribe to wireless broadband services. Since its inception in 2016, millions of Americans have gained access to digital opportunities and emergency services in times of need. 

As stated in the filing, “Lifeline is strategically poised to help the most vulnerable members of our society … [it] is a modern embodiment of the century-old commitment to bring universal services to all Americans.” Next Century Cities continues to urge the FCC to strengthen universal access programs that expand broadband to underserved and unserved populations. 

Click here to review the filing in its entirety.