How Long Will the Emergency Broadband Benefit Last?

We asked folks across the industry how long they thought the Emergency Broadband Benefit program’s funding will last. Here’s what they had to say.

John Heitmann
Partner
Kelley Drye & Warren

“Based on conversations with EBB providers, I think this is a fairly short duration program of about six months. That said, there are a lot of variables, including the FCC’s implementation of the device subsidy which has caused an already small pool of participating providers to raise red flags. More importantly, the prospect of a second round of funding could extend the EBB program well into 2022.“

Ross Lieberman
SVP, Government Affairs
ACA Connects

“About 6-7 months. Roughly 9 million households participate in Lifeline. If a similar number participate in this program, and each receive a $50 subsidy, that’s $450 million per month. The more generous subsidy could attract more participants, but not all households will enroll immediately or select offerings
that provide full $50 subsidies. The ‘X-Factor’ is the $100 connected device subsidy; if it’s popular, that could shave off about a month.“

Craig Moffett
Founding Partner
MoffettNathanson

“Judging by the challenges operators have seen driving penetration of Essentials plans, it may take some time to ramp up a program like this. But, truth be told, I’d be surprised if it doesn’t become a permanent entitlement program, even if at meaningfully lower level of annual spending. The best analogy is the Lifeline program for wireless, which was started as a temporary program… during the Reagan Administration.“