WASHINGTON, D.C. – (June 2, 2015) Following introduction of the Broadband Adoption Act of 2015 by Rep. Matsui (D-CA), Sen. Murphy (D-CT), and Sen. Booker (D-NJ) and the circulation of a proposed rulemaking to reform the Lifeline benefit program, Doug Brake, telecom policy analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), releases the following statement:
ITIF has long supported providing subsidies to help low-income Americans afford the communications services that are increasingly essential for modern life. Consumers should be free to choose the technology that best suits their needs, and modernizing the Lifeline program for the broadband era, giving recipients more choice and flexibility, is undoubtedly due. ITIF welcomes the Broadband Adoption Act of 2015 as well as the opportunity to comment on the proposals now circulating at the FCC. Bringing Lifeline into the 21st Century by adding support for broadband, coupled with common-sense reforms around eligibility administration and program oversight, should be change everyone supports. Cutting waste, fraud, and abuse in the program, while extending a key component of universal service makes this is a win for both sides of the aisle.
