Coalition Calls on FCC to Enhance Lifeline Benefits To Provide Instant COVID-19 Relief

Eight groups called on the Federal Communications Commission to provide support for unlimited talk and texting for recipients of its Lifeline program subsidy. The groups ⁠— Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Common Cause, MediaJustice, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Open MIC (Open Media and Information Companies Initiative), Public Knowledge,⁠ and UnidosUS—are urging the FCC to make this immediate change to protect and promote civil rights by offering equitable access to life-saving and necessary communications services. Unlimited voice minutes and texting are much needed for Lifeline subscribers, particularly as many people in marginalized and impacted communities currently fighting COVID-19 are doing so without the communications services they require. Further, these services are crucial as people in all 50 states have assembled in mass protests to advocate against police brutality and systemic racism. The ability for low-income consumers to both remain safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic and participate in the democratic process is contingent on access to communications services—the Lifeline program is essential to ensuring consumers receive these services.