Internet service providers and their lobby groups are fighting the Federal Communications Commission's plan to prohibit discrimination in access to broadband services. In particular, ISPs want the FCC to drop the plan's proposal to require that prices charged to consumers be non-discriminatory. The plan is likely to pass in a party-line vote, but aspects of the draft plan could be changed before the vote. Consumer advocates generally support the proposal but say the planned system for handling complaints, ISP responses, and investigations is not transparent enough, reducing the system's potential to act as a deterrent. Consumer advocates also say Internet users who have already been harmed by discrimination may not get any relief because the proposed rules do not apply retroactively.

Congress established the Affordable Connectivity Program in November 2021 as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, providing $14.2 billion to expand an emergency broadband program that began in 2021. But those funds are running out. On Oct. 25, President Joe Biden asked Congress for another $6 billion to fund the program through the end of 2024, but despite bipartisan support, it appears that lawmakers may let the funds dry up amid disagreements over the best way to solve the problem of affordable internet access. A spokeswoman for Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said Congress established the ACP as an emergency measure during the pandemic and pointedly declined to voice support for Biden’s request to extend it. While Sen Cantwell “supports the president” and organizations that have called for the program to continue, “who recognize that emergency connectivity is critical in today’s digital age,” spokeswoman Ansley Lacitis said the senator is “committed to finding long-term solutions to internet access and affordability,” suggesting she favors a different strategy. Lacitis said Cantwell supports the government’s Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure program, which aims to connect local networks to regional and national ones, and efforts to improve maps to better inform decisions on federal broadband spending. Those investments, she said, would increase competition and lower costs in the long run. House Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)  echoed the idea that other programs could make for more targeted and long-term solutions to improve affordable internet access. “In Congress, we can and must do more to improve access to broadband and make it more affordable, especially for families and businesses in rural Eastern Washington,” she said. “That starts with making sure we are using the most accurate (Federal Communications Commission) maps, targeting resources to truly unserved communities.” Her office said she is apprehensive about supporting additional ACP funding without first changing eligibility requirements to make sure the subsidy goes to those who truly can’t afford broadband access, while protecting against fraud and wasteful spending. As chair of the panel charged with oversight of telecommunications policy, Rep McMorris Rodgers has supported legislation to improve coordination among federal agencies involved in broadband funding. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) supports Biden’s request to extend the ACP “so that families who rely on it today aren’t left in the lurch.” “There is no doubt that broadband access is absolutely essential,” Sen Murray said, “and the federal government has an important role to play in making sure that every family, no matter their income, can get the high-speed internet access they need to do everything from get an education to hold down a job or access vital medical and mental health services.” She voiced support for longer-term solutions, including a bipartisan effort to reform the federal Universal Service Fund, which uses fees on long distance telephone calls to subsidize access for rural and low-income Americans, schools, libraries, and healthcare providers.

This paper seeks to address a gap in mobile communication scholarship by contributing insights from a qualitative study of library patrons who checked out mobile hotspots from the Boston Public Library in Massachusetts. The findings show that although mobile hotspots provided many benefits for public library patrons in general, these devices facilitated mobile communication with a different sense of urgency for six people experiencing homelessness who also happened to be in romantic relationships. The findings have implications for those working to address homelessness, including community-based organizations, government agencies, and policymakers who seek further insights into the positive role that mobile hotspot devices can play in supporting positive health outcomes for individuals and couples experiencing homelessness.

We got some pretty good wins in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. One of those wins was the mandate for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement broadband consumer labels, also known as “broadband nutrition labels.” These labels will empower consumers with clear, accessible, and accurate information about broadband services. Clear information should enable consumers to make informed choices that align with their needs and budgets without shocking charges or service quality surprises that fall short of their expectations. The broadband consumer labels will include information on pricing, introductory rates, data allowances, performance metrics, and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) participation. Some providers may start displaying the labels before the deadline, but we expect to see all providers in compliance by October 10, 2024. 

Texas voters approved Proposition Eight, which will create a broadband infrastructure fund in the state. About 80 percent of voters favored passage of the state constitutional amendment. With the passage of this resolution, $1.5 billion will be allocated to expand internet availability in Texas, where some 7 million people currently lack access. These dollars will help pay to develop and finance broadband and telecommunications services as well as 911 services. The fund will also provide matching funds with federal money from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program.