The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides $65 billion to expand broadband access and affordability, and imposes new regulatory requirements on the broadband market.
Top Resources
- In early May the Biden administration announced the creation of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), securing private sector commitments that will lower high-speed internet costs for millions of American families. As part of this initiative, the Administration launched GetInternet.gov, a simple, easy-to-use website with details on how Americans can sign up for ACP and find participating internet providers in their area.
- The FCC has established September 1, 2022 as the deadline for service providers to submit broadband availability data for inclusion in the long awaited update to the national broadband map.
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) outlined the details of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
- FCC’s current collection of maps identifying broadband coverage (Note: the FCC is in the process of updating those maps)
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) schedule of public listening sessions on IIJA broadband funding.
- NTIA’s Request for Comments on the implementation of IIJA broadband programs (Note: comments are due February 4).
- U.S. Chamber comments on the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program
- U.S. Chamber comments to NTIA on Implementation of Broadband Programs
More information can be found by visiting the Broadband section of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website and the Chamber Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC) website.
Key Takeaways
New and Existing Broadband Access Programs
- $42.5 billion for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program (Grant program providing formula funding to states for broadband deployment)
- $2 billion for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (An existing program to enable broadband access in tribal communities)
- $1 billion for middle mile broadband (Infrastructure that does not connect to an end-user)
- $2.75 billion for Digital Equity Act (Grants to states and non-profit entities for digital inclusion)
- $14.2 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program (Support for low-income individuals to affordable broadband services).
Other Policies
- Requires the FCC to initiate a rulemaking to adopt consumer broadband labels.
- Requires the FCC to conduct a rulemaking on digital discrimination.
- Directs the FCC to conduct an assessment of the future of the Universal Service Fund and broadband affordability.
- Directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the appropriate broadband speed thresholds.
- Requires the FCC to develop an online tool to track federal broadband investments.
Rebuilding America: The Next Phase of Infrastructure
Learn more about the long-term, sustainable investments that will unlock our economy’s growth potential and productive capacity in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
