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The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program was established to support broadband services and devices to help low-income households stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in the dramatic disruption of many aspects of Americans’ lives, including social distancing measures to prevent person-to person transmission that have required the closure of businesses and schools across the country for indefinite periods of times, which in turn has caused millions of Americans to become unemployed or unable to find work. These closures have also led people to turn to virtual learning, telemedicine, and telework to enable social distancing measures, which has only increased every household’s need for access to broadband services. The cost of broadband services, however, can be difficult to overcome for low-income families and for families that have been struggling during the pandemic.

On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Consolidated Appropriations Act) became law. Among other actions intended to provide relief during the pandemic, the Consolidated Appropriations Act established an Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund of $3.2 billion in the Treasury of the United States for the fiscal year 2021, to remain available until expended. The Consolidated Appropriations Act directed the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) to use that fund to establish an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, under which eligible low-income households may receive a discount off the cost of broadband service and certain connected devices during an emergency period relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and participating providers can receive a reimbursement for such discounts.

Consistent with Congress’ direction in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, on February 26, 2021, the Commission adopted a Report and Order establishing the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.

On August 4, 2023, the Commission adopted rules to establish the enhanced discounts available for monthly broadband services provided in high-cost areas by participants in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

On November 16, 2023, the Commission worked to implement the Safe Connections Act of 2022.

On January 11, 2024, the Commission announced requirements and guidance for the winddown of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)