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The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 includes billions of dollars to expand the deployment of broadband internet networks, consumer subsidies for service and equipment, as well as non-monetary provisions that could affect broadband service providers' businesses.
The broadband provisions alone of the massive Appropriations Act are dense and raise many questions about how they will ultimately be implemented. In the meantime, we offer this summary of key provisions related to broadband network deployment.
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The Act establishes a temporary $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program that will reimburse participating providers up to $50 per month ($75 in tribal areas) for providing discounted broadband service to an eligible household. Under the terms of the legislation, the program will sunset six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.