Abstract

Broadband is integral for accessing a multitude of aspects of modern life: education, healthcare, public information, economic growth, and participation in society. And yet, reliable, affordable access to broadband remains out of reach for many Americans. While we have long discussed the digital divide, people still face barriers to meaningful access. One of the areas where we have both made substantial progress and still have substantial work to do is in the realm of broadband affordability. In recent years, we have seen landmark new programs aimed at making broadband affordable, however the sunset of the Affordable Connectivity Program in 2024 highlights the need to establish a durable, reliable, and accessible modern broadband affordability program. The Supreme Court’s recent decision in FCC v. Consumers’ Research affirming the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund is an opportunity for digital divide advocates to consider our next steps in advocating for affordable broadband.

This paper will proceed in four parts. Part I lays out a brief overview of the digital divide, from the first use of the terminology to our current understanding of policy advocacy approaches to closing it. Part II discusses how the policy approach to ameliorating this issue shifted during the pandemic and describes where we are now that the Affordability Connectivity Program has wrapped. Part III will walk through the recent Supreme Court decision, FCC v. Consumers’ Research Ass’n. Finally, Part IV will discuss what is next for broadband affordability after the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the constitutionality of the Universal Service Program.

Link to Full Article:

What’s Next for Broadband Affordability After FCC v. Consumers’ Research?