Over the last 14 months, it has become increasingly evident that internet access is no longer a luxury, but a utility.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the national conversation towards broadband, which has led to a major push in expanding access to more rural communities.
While millions in federal and state monies have been dedicated to reaching more homes, including in Indiana, a significant issue has persisted — helping those in poverty afford already-available services.
Thankfully, a new program administered through the Federal Communications Commission will soon address the problem on a larger scale.
Starting today, the FCC will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband internet service.
In addition, a one-time discount of up to $100 can be applied to the purchase of a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer with a co-payment of more than $10, but less than $50, by qualified households.
The discounts will apply to those that need it most.
Qualified individuals include those at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or participate in certain assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline, as well as families enrolled in free and reduced-price school lunch programs. Households that have also experienced substantial losses since Feb. 29, 2020 due to the pandemic will also qualify.
Currently, the cost of local fiber internet is about $75 per month locally, said Tony London, a Bartholomew County commissioner and chairman of the Bartholomew County Broadband Initiative Committee.
In a survey done this past February, 13% of local respondents said they did not have internet because it was too expensive, and 40% said they were only willing to pay $50 or less per month for service. A total of 31% with internet said they were currently paying $50 to $74.99 per month for service.
According to the U.S. Census, around 11.2% of county residents were in poverty as of 2019.
Helping less-fortunate families pay for internet could lead to more dollars coming back into the community.
Studies by the county have found that for every dollar the community invests in rural broadband, it brings $5 to $8 back.
The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner. The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit was part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act that passed by Congress in late December.
Hopefully those without internet will be able to soon get online thanks to the dollars dedicated by the FCC, leading to a more prosperous future in Bartholomew County.
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Find out if you qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit by contacting your service provider, calling 833-511-0311 or visiting getemergencybroadband.org.
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