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<span style="font-size:20px;font-weight:bold;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial;line-height:110%">OPLIN 4Cast #740: There's help in the struggle to pay for Internet during the pandemic</span><br>
<span style="font-size:11px;font-weight:normal;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-style:italic;font-family:arial">March 3rd, 2021</span></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;font-size:16px;font-family:arial;line-height:110%"><img align="left" src="https://4cast.oplin.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/no-money-2070384_1280.jpg" alt="Man showing empty pants pockets" width="130" height="94" style="padding-right:14px;padding-top:4px;padding-bottom:4px">
In late 2020, Congress established an Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund of $3.2 billion to help Americans afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic, directing the FCC to establish an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) for low-income households. Last week, the FCC released the initial rules. Libraries can learn more and sign up to be an outreach partner at <a href="https://fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit" target="_blank">https://fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit</a>.
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</li><li style="text-align:justify;font-size:16px;font-family:arial;line-height:110%"><a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/broadband/emergency-broadband-benefit-program-internet-service-and-equipment-discounts/" target="_blank">Struggling to Afford Internet? The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program May Help</a> [<em>Consumer Reports</em>] "Eligible families will get up to $50 per month to help defray the cost of decent broadband and $100 toward a computer."</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;font-size:16px;font-family:arial;line-height:110%"><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/26/22302807/fcc-internet-subsidies-authorized-low-income-broadband" target="_blank">FCC authorizes $50 discounts for low-income households’ internet bills</a> [T<em>he Verge</em>] "It will help those sitting in cars in parking lots just to catch a Wi-Fi signal to go online for work. It will help those lingering outside the library with a laptop just to get a wireless signal for remote learning."</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;font-size:16px;font-family:arial;line-height:110%"><a href="https://www.benton.org/blog/introducing-emergency-broadband-benefit-program" target="_blank">Introducing the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program</a> [<em>Benton.org</em>] "Keep in mind that Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is temporary, with a limited amount of funding. It is meant to last no longer than 6 months after the COVID emergency. Households that get Emergency Broadband Benefit Program services will get notified before the program ends and will be able to cancel service (without a fee) before receiving any increases in their bill."</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;font-size:16px;font-family:arial;line-height:110%"><a href="https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2021/03/ala-welcomes-new-emergency-broadband-benefit-program" target="_blank">ALA welcomes new Emergency Broadband Benefit program</a> [<em>ALAnews</em>] "ALA will coordinate directly with FCC leadership to engage and support libraries in outreach and education activities in the 60-day lead-up to the program start. In the meantime, libraries may sign up to receive important updates and information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit program at <a href="http://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit" target="_blank">www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit</a>."</li>
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<p style="text-align:left;font-size:20px;font-family:arial;line-height:110%"><small><strong><em>From the <a href="http://ohioweblibrary.org" target="_blank">Ohio Web Library</a>:</em></strong></small><br>
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<div style="text-align:justify;font-size:16px;font-family:arial;line-height:110%">
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<li>“<a href="http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sch&AN=148605683&site=ehost-live" target="_blank">Broadband Boosters</a>.” <em>MIT Technology Review</em>, vol. 124, no. 2, Mar. 2021, p. 64.</li>
<li>Starks, Geoffrey. “<a href="http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=148532318&site=ehost-live" target="_blank">The Time for Digital Equity Is Now: FCC’s Geoffrey Starks Says COVID-19 Has Laid Broadband Disparities Bare</a>.” <em>Multichannel News</em>, vol. 42, no. 3, Feb. 2021, p. 32.</li>
<li>Romm, Tony. “<a href="http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=wapo.52d2b3d2-6bd8-11eb-ba56-d7e2c8defa31&site=ehost-live" target="_blank">Lifeline Program’s Disconnect Worsens in Time of Crisis</a>.” <em>Washington Post, The</em>, 2021 Oct. 2AD.</li>
</ul>
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